Help for Namibia
I have long had the desire to help locally where help is needed. But as a pediatrician, I can not just close my practice for six months or a whole year. I also feel responsible for caring for my Korbacher patients and for the jobs of my employees. That's why I was looking specifically for a project for which I can work from time to time for a few weeks on site, but above all from Germany. One such project I have now: The Mayana Mpora Foundation, founded by Valerie and Wynand Peypers in Namibia.
The African couple runs accommodation for alternative and ecological travelers in Mayana. The N? Kwazi Lodge is also the only working employer for the approximately 3,000 people in the region. The Mayana Mpora Foundation has built a primary school and pays several teachers, textbooks, and one meal per day and child. The association also organizes sewing courses for young women and educates men without a school leaving certificate in irrigation systems and vegetable gardens.
A friendly tour guide told me about the project, and I spontaneously had a good impression. When I asked about the region's medical care, I learned that there are none, and the government is doing nothing to change that. I decided, first on a trial basis, to work for three weeks as a doctor in Mayana. I planned that for my vacation last year, but I still needed a good medical assistant. It was quickly found: Anita Brosig, a member of my own team, agreed to come along. That was of course the best solution, because we are perfectly matched. After many e-mails, applications and phone calls with the Namibian embassy we were able to start? with the drug donations of the Korbacher pharmacies in the luggage.
To say it straight away, we did not treat AIDS patients in Mayana, we did not defeat epidemics. The people there first need the normal, everyday medicine: remedies for bronchitis or diarrhea, wound care, treatment of fractures. We have set up our ambulance in a vacant hut, close to the huts of the people. So most of us were able to reach us on foot. Our goal is that the ambulance becomes a permanent institution and at least one nurse is constantly on site. For this I hold lectures in Germany, show photo exhibitions and collect donations.
Why Namibia, why this area? I came there by accident? it could just as well have been Ghana, Gambia, Zambia or Uganda. There are many places and people who live in poverty and do not care about any government. You have to start helping somewhere. If every one of us, a hundred, or even one, two people, who are worse off than us, helps in his life, then this world will be a little better and fairer. The best way to help with what you can and that is in my case just medical care.
