Warmer winter from Winter Warmers
Bundle of joy, Kesha Barman (left), a young resident of the Bishop Kameeta Kindergarten, recently met benefactor, Dr Christina Swart-Opperman, founder of the CSO Aids Orphans Trust, in person.
This trust by leading businesswoman, Dr Christina Swart-Opperman, has been helping orphans survive winter for eight years in a row. The trust also supports many other projects on an on-going basis.
Dr Swart-Opperman said “when the trust was launched in 2003, it was done in recognition that helping vulnerable children can not only depend on government institutions, but requires the strong engagement of the private sector.”
In line with the trust’s aim for continuity; the “Winter Warmer” project is run this year for the eighth time. The first Winter Warmer initiative ran during the winter of 2006.
This year, the trust received contributions to the amount of N$78,500. These funds enabled 172 children, each to receive a bag containing a blanket, tracksuit, beanie, soup mixture, oats, two-minute noodles, tinned fish, a 300ml can of Sparletta and soya mince.
The beneficiaries this year are Bambi Kindergarten with 29 children, Bethel Community Organization with 34, the Bishop Kameeta Kindergarten with 29, John Otto with 7, Pashukeni OVC Kindergarten with 23 and Otjomuise Primary School with 50 children.
The sponsors are Agricultural Bank of Namibia, Kanaal 7, Capricorn Investment Holdings Ltd, Coca-Cola Namibia Bottling Company, FP du Toit Transport Group, Mr Gerrit Walters, Mr Gunter Leicher and family, Hollard Insurance Company Namibia, Namib Mills (Pty) Ltd, Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (Namibia) Limited and Standard Bank Namibia Ltd.
Pep Stores graciously extends a substantial discount on all items purchased from them.
Dr Swart-Opperman said the trust will continue to help improve the quality of life of children affected by HIV/AIDS in line with its vision to contribute to social reform.
