FHI - USAID's Pierson Visits CAA's OVC Center

Centre in Katutura where Catholic AIDS Action (CAA) runs a program of support for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). The program is funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through Family Health International under its cooperative agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Pierson, assistant administrator for Africa and the U.S. government representative to the board of directors of the African Development Foundation, visited Namibia as part of the official U.S. delegation attending the inauguration of President Hifikepunye Pohamba on March 21, 2005. Pierson is not new to Namibia. He has worked extensively within the country during his tenor as the first Peace Corps Country Director in Namibia following the country's official independence from South Africa on March 20, 1990.

Pierson made time during his busy schedule to visit CAA's flagship multipurpose center, the Bernhard Nordkamp Centre located in Katutura, a suburb of Windhoek. The visit began with songs from the Bernhard Nordkamp Children's Choir, whose repertoire is now available on a professionally made CD, thanks to a partnership with Elon University, located in North Carolina in the United States.

The highlight of the visit came when young Salomon Uirab, age 15, shared his story of terrible poverty and loss due to HIV/AIDS. He also shared his hopes and plans for a bright future, thanks to the support offered through CAA's "Schooled for Success" program, which is also funded by USAID/FHI from 2001 through 2004.

During the visit, it wasn't clear who enjoyed whose company more - Pierson, the staff and volunteers, or the children who call the Bernhard Nordkamp Centre their second home.

Father Rick Bauer, CEO of CAA, welcomed Pierson and explained that the center is only one of fourteen outreach offices created by the organization with over 1500 volunteers nationwide. Current funding for CAA's work in both prevention, and care and support, comes, in large part, from the Emergency Plan, with additional support from FHI.

The Nordkamp Center is one of three multipurpose centers run by CAA in urban areas. The center, which opened in May 1999, provides services to people regardless of religious affiliation and offers training and outreach programs for HIV/AIDS prevention and care and support. It runs a soup kitchen that serves 130 orphans and vulnerable children per day, helps develop income-generating activities for HIV positive clients, offers post-test support groups and runs an after-school learning and support program.

Not all of the programs run by the Nodkamp Center is about support. The "Beaded Red Ribbon" is income generating project and has been very successful over the past months due to increased marketing. Twenty-five client families currently receive income from the sale of the beaded ribbons they make on-site at the center.

Photo: Lloyd O. Pierson visits with Namibian children during his visit to the Bernhard Nordkamp Centre. (CAA)