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City runner eats dusty miles

Omaruru Children’s Haven manager, Andreas Moeckel (left) and principal, Lazarus Musambani (right) with the children and the small red Toyota Yaris donated by Standard Bank.

Omaruru Children’s Haven manager, Andreas Moeckel (left) and principal, Lazarus Musambani (right) with the children and the small red Toyota Yaris donated by Standard Bank.

A small red car, donated to an orphanage in Omaruru has turned into a vital lifeline for the disadvantaged children. The car is a Toyota Yaris and was donated by Standard Bank some five months ago. The beneficiary, Omaruru Children’s Haven, uses the car to ferry children and housemothers to the hospital for medical emergencies and regular check-ups.
“The little red car is used on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to go to Windhoek to drive some of our four year olds to speech and occupational therapy, which unfortunately is not available in Omaruru,” said manager of the Haven, Andreas Moeckel. The main benefit of the unimposing car is the dramatically reduced fuel bill.
“We used to have a Nissan Primastar bus which guzzled twice the amount of fuel and has long broken down. However, saving 50% in fuel expenses frees up money in other areas is a welcome gesture. If it were not for the little red car we would be struggling a lot with all the other logistical issues of hospital trips and sourcing food. Given the quick means of transport, the four housemothers at the Haven have more quality time with the kids and all the children are receiving adequate health care at any given time,” said Moeckel. The car is also used to take the blind principal of the Haven, Lazarus Musambani on work-related errands in and around town.
Omaruru Children’s Haven cares for thirty children from one to eighteen years old.

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