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Nawa 35 |
Jun 29 2005 |
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NYANGANA AND ANDARA HAVE A NEW START
 New Start Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers at Nyangana and Andara Catholic Hospitals were officially inaugurated at a joint ceremony on Friday, June 17, 2005 at Nyangana Hospital in the Kavango Region in north eastern Namibia. The opening of these Centers has been a priority due to high prevalence in the Kavango Region (approximately 21.3% of the adult population is infected). The two Centers will help halt the spread of HIV/AIDS by enabling people to learn their status and if negative, stay free of the virus, and if positive, treat the infection and live positively with HIV/AIDS. Since commencement of services in May 2005, the Centers have counseled, tested and served nearly 2000 clients, referring those who are eligible for anti-retroviral treatment or the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
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 The ceremony was attended by Ms. Elizabeth Muremi, Kavango Regional Director of Health for the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Mr. Gary Newton, Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development in Namibia, and senior representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and Catholic Health Services.
Ms. Muremi challenged the men in the audience of nearly 1000 to "…change their attitude and behavior. Being a sugar daddy has nothing to do with masculinity. Being a man means being trustworthy and caring. It means being determined and sticking to moral principles. A real man is committed towards one person instead of having various partners and seeking short-lived pleasures, which risk ruining the lives of girls and young women."
The Centers are managed by Catholic Health Services with technical support from Population Services International/Social Marketing Association and Family Health International, and are fully integrated into the Catholic Mission Hospitals at Nyangana and Andara. |
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USAID FORGING CONSTRUCTION CONNECTIONS FOR SMEs
 Suoma Kankondi-Shililifa, the dynamic and assertive co-owner of Shililifa Property Development first approached the USAID-funded SMEs Compete for advice on how to proceed with two major construction contracts secured in Windhoek and Outapi. Suoma is responsible for the business side of the firm while her husband and co-owner, Moses, takes care of the technical and building construction facet of activity.
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Upon investigation it was observed that the absence of a reliable work vehicle hampered business, and Shililifa was advised to approach the bank with supporting letters of intent from clients and letters of recommendation from satisfied clients. This advice was followed and resulted in the business securing a loan to purchase an entry level pre-owned vehicle that would meet the company’s needs.
Filled with enthusiasm following the success with the bank, the indefatigable Suoma again approached SMEs Compete for advice. It was recommended that she attend the "Is Tendering for You"workshop, which she says provided her with useful insight into the tendering process. Shortly after attending the workshop, the business secured a contract for the construction of 30 houses at Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region in the north of Namibia.
By means of a business linkage facilitated by SMEs Compete with a local building materials supply company, Pupkewitz MegaBuild, the construction SME was able to demonstrate the quality of work and building site management that opened up a relationship with this construction material supply company. Shililifa Property Developers had previously failed to obtain a credit facility with this supplier.
With a newly acquired vehicle, enhanced business skills and linkage to a major supplier provided by SMEs Compete, there appears to be no limit for Suoma and Moses Shililifa, as they continue to build upon their success in the industry, with determination, confidence and commitment. |
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