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How and why we came to being

With HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in excess of 28% in Walvis Bay, it was imperative that a vigorous and effective campaign aimed at addressing the problem should be launched. Initially, USAID had been contacted to introduce some intervention programmes for the Walvis Bay Municipality, but it was quickly realized that there were no suitable venues to offer counseling or to provide the required training of home-based care givers.

Three U.S. agencies in Namibia, namely the U.S. Department of Defense, through the American Embassy, USAID and the Peace Corps, formed a collaborative partnership and pooled resources to provide these urgently needed services in Walvis Bay. From the onset, it was recognized that to destigmatize the disease and people living with it, and to ensure that intended beneficiaries would not be reluctant to use the Centre, it was important to deliver HIV/AIDS related programmes together with others of interest to the community.

It was thus decided to provide space for programmes such as literacy and computer classes, sports team meetings, business courses, youth activities and clubs of all kinds. With this vision, the Walvis Bay Multi-Purpose Centre was born. The Municipality donated land and the U.S. Department of Defense funded the construction of the building, where counseling to affected persons could be offered, where training to centre staff could be provided and where the planning and conducting of awareness-raising activities for youth, women and the unemployed could be undertaken.

Peace Corps agreed to assign a volunteer to the Centre and USAID, through its implementing partner, Family Health International, committed to supporting salaries for staff, as well as a range of HIV/AIDS-related activities at the Centre. The WB MPC opened for business in May 2001 and had its formal inauguration on the 12th July 2001. The Centre’s Director, Mrs. Beverley Figaji organizes the programmes as well as concentrating on sustainability of the Centre. The most recent development is the registering of the Centre as a Trust, and this is hoped to be finalized by December 2003. The Centre will then be able to operate as a legal entity, and fundraising will be easier.

The WB MPC HIV/AIDS programmes have three interrelated components :

1. Information, Education and Communication to inform people
   Particularly youths and employees about the nature of the disease : how it is, and isn’t spread, how to protect oneself and others. Pre- and post-test counseling as well as continuous counseling is provided at the Centre. With the establishment of the Voluntary, Counseling and Testing Centre, during September 2003, the aim is on HIV/AIDS prevention intervention, with HIV/AIDS risk assessment. Through its outreach programme, the WB MPC offers health education to the private sector and fishing companies, promoting HIV/AIDS in the world of work.
    
2. Condom Distribution
   Other than abstinence, condoms are the most effective preventative measure. The WB MPC is a distribution point for partners such as Social Marketing Association and the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
    
3. Care and Support
   The WB MPC provides counseling and has an active support group for those infected and their relatives. Psychological and physical support is provided to those in need as well as orphans and other vulnerable children. A centre piece of this work is education about, and assistance with home based care. When necessary, the WB MPC provides food and other necessities, with help from the private sector who donate resources for the soup kitchen three times a week.

Where we Are
The WB MPC is located in the centre of the highest populated part of Walvis Bay, namely Kuisebmond. It has served to bring about a closer co-operation between the Walvis Bay Municipality, the Erongo Regional Authorities and National Government (primarily the Ministries of Health and Social Services and Basic Education , Sports and Culture) because the necessity of bringing the entire community together to meet the needs of both in- and out-of-school youth in combating the threat of HIV/AIDS was recognized. These organizations have formed a broadly based coalition to provide services and HIV/AIDS prevention programmes.

Since its inception in May 2001, the WB MPC has provided support to over 20 000 clients. It has already outgrown its building. Fortunately the U.S. D.O.D. has since then, assisted with additional funding for the extension of the existing building, plus an additional building.

Care and Support Stories from the WB MPC – a Story of Courage
Moureen Katjitako grew up in a place called Okakarara, a rural area about 600km from Walvis Bay. After completing Grade 10, her family could not longer afford to support and send her to school and Moureen moved to Walvis Bay to find employment. She met her first boyfriend, set up a home and established what she thought was a monogamous relationship. However, unbeknownst to her, he was unfaithful in their relationship and brought home the HIV virus, infecting her and as a result, the child they had together. At only 21 years of age, she and her newborn son, Seppy, both tested HIV+.

Intent on providing her son with the best possible care and arming herself with knowledge, she spent day after day at state clinics and in District AIDS Committee meetings trying to understand the disease and its progression. Despite her efforts, on his behalf, Seppy died at the age of 2 years and 2 months in the year 2000.

Refusing to succumb to the bitterness and despair that might easily have befallen her, Moureen instead dedicated herself to helping others to avoid the disease or, for those already infected, to cope with “their new lives”. To improve her skills, particularly regarding home care, she completed an intensive, six-month training course given by Catholic AIDS Action. At the WB MPC, Moureen established a support group, which continues to meet twice a week. Maureen was frequently requested as a guest speaker for motivational speeches, and provided HIV/AIDS awareness/education sessions to fishing company workers (an important industry in the region). Her love and concern went beyond those stricken with or at risk from the disease, which so poignantly affected her life. Maureen worked with disabled children and provided adult literacy lessons to TB patients.

Since 1987, the Africa Prize has been given in recognition of those who have exhibited exceptional leadership in improving the well being of Africa’s people. Maureen Katjatako was a nominee for the year 2001.

During April 2002, Maureen spent 3 weeks in hospital, fighting the virus that was raging in her body. When discharged, she proudly stated “I thought the virus would kill me, but I fought it off with all my might”. In early May, Moureen decided to return to her rural village to recuperate from hospital and spend time with her mother and family.

With no access to resources or finances, her condition slowly deteriorated and on the 11th July 2002, Maureen's strong spirit finally ebbed away. Her death seems to have given the support group that she founded, even greater determination to help themselves and to initiate projects to help others at risk. Maureen's place is sadly missed, and the WB MPC is left with many treasured memories and fond thoughts of her.

“There is nothing the body suffers, that the soul cannot profit from “ – Maureen Katjitako.

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The Board of Directors:

Mr. H. Ndemula (Chairperson)
Mr. C. S. Jacobs (Erongo Group)
Mr. M. Jacobs
Mrs. R. De Buysscher (Ministry of Education) Family Health International
Mr. J. Brown Community activist (Ex-Walvis Bay Councilor)
Mr. J. Manale (Walvis Bay Municipality)
Mrs. B. van Rooyen (Ministry of Health and Social Services)