During the Stakeholders Meeting in October, the Sister Cities in Action team had the opportunity to visit the organisation ‘Family of Hope Services’ in Katutura, a neighbourhood shaped by a history of resistance and community-building in Windhoek. We were accompanied by Foibe, the centre’s director, and Elizabeth, one of the girls who benefits from the project. They showed us around a place that embodies dignity, care and opportunity.
From the very beginning, we understood that Family of Hope Services is more than just a community centre; it is a place where children’s human rights are upheld and respected every day. Every action here aims to guarantee the rights to education, food, play, holistic development, and a safe and nurturing environment in which to grow up.
Foibe shared the history of the project, explaining how it has evolved into a powerful community-driven response to the challenges faced by numerous families in Katutura. Many of these families are migrants from other regions of Namibia, as well as from Angola, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Instead of starting from a place of lack, they recognise the potential of every child and adolescent. The goal is not merely to “assist”, but to facilitate processes of empowerment and autonomy.
Among their core initiatives is educational support, which serves children and teenagers—many of them migrants without national documentation who are therefore unable to attend formal school. At the community center, they receive academic assistance, strengthen their learning, and develop essential skills that help them stay engaged and thrive. The organization also supports families in obtaining official documents so that these children can access the education system. This work goes beyond academic content; it fosters confidence, curiosity, and a genuine desire to learn, opening real pathways toward inclusion and opportunity.
One of the most meaningful spaces is the community kitchen, which provides nutritious daily meals for the children involved in the project. The kitchen is more than just a place to receive food; it is also a space for gathering and collective care, where sharing a meal becomes an act of community.
The project also runs a community garden to strengthen food security and serve as a living educational tool. Participants learn about sustainability, collaboration and caring for the land there. Every seed planted represents a commitment to the present and the future.
In addition, Family of Hope Services has developed a bicycle repair and sales workshop, combining hands-on training and technical skill-building with economic sustainability. The workshop supports mobility and environmental care, and represents a concrete strategy to strengthen the organisation’s financial autonomy and increase its impact on the community.
Walking through these spaces with Elizabeth was a deeply meaningful experience. Seeing her attentive gaze, enthusiasm and confidence as she showed us what was being built there reminded us that children flourish when they grow up in environments that recognise their rights and nurture their abilities. These are not stories of victimhood, but of growth supported by respect and love.
For Sister Cities in Action, this visit reaffirmed the importance of fostering connections between organisations dedicated to social justice and human rights, both internationally and across continents. These connections enable the exchange of knowledge, strengthen strategies and expand solidarity networks that transcend borders. When organisations from different regions engage in dialogue and collaboration, their capacity for impact and care is multiplied.
In a world where inequalities still impede the realisation of rights, spaces like Family of Hope Services remind us that transformation is possible when communities organise and maintain their commitment over time.
We are deeply grateful to Foibe and Elizabeth for generously and transparently opening the doors to this space. We leave feeling inspired and enriched by new insights, certain that the bonds we forge today will continue to bear fruit tomorrow.
If you would like to learn more about their work and support this project, please visit the website of Familiy of Hope. Every contribution helps to ensure that more children in Katutura can continue to grow up in an environment that protects their rights and cultivates hope.
