Dear African Child: Advocacy in action

Dear African Child (DAC) is a Namibian advocacy organisation founded on 26 December 2024 and active since April 2025. Co-founded by Gerhard Festus, Pombili Isak and Rejoice Nghilongwa, the organisation has made its mark by giving visibility to people with severe chronic conditions and mobilising support for them.

Festus said DAC exists to show children and adults, through concrete action rather than empty promises, that their dreams deserve to be taken seriously.

“At DAC we remind children and adults that their dreams are valid in practical and visible ways, not just in words. We give them a platform to be seen and heard; we connect them to resources and donors,” he said.

DAC’s strongest work lies in amplifying the voices of patients with rare and life threatening illnesses.

The organisation creates flyers detailing each patient’s condition and shares them widely on social media. This visibility connects patients directly to donors who can provide financial and material support.

Festus said that the visibility of DAC has had a positive impact on patients in need. “So far, our greatest milestone is reach and visibility. People reach out to us with their stories; we publish them on our social media platforms, and they get a huge rate of recognition,” he said.

One striking example is the story of a 23 year old woman diagnosed with very severe aplastic anaemia – a rare and serious bone marrow failure disorder where the body stops producing enough new blood cells.

After DAC published her flyer and banking details, she received overwhelming financial support from individuals across Namibia and beyond.

Outreach work

Beyond medical advocacy, DAC is preparing for a major initiative, a winter donation drive scheduled to take place this month.

The drive will collect clothing, shoes and blankets to support vulnerable children during the cold season.

Festus also highlighted the dangers of street life and the organisation's direct interventions. He explained that many children remain trapped in unsafe environments without knowing how to access care.

“We go to where street children are. We build trust, listen and assess who needs immediate help. We present the child’s complaint and push for placement so they have a bed, meals and safety, not the street,” he explained.

Festus also pointed out the challenges faced by orphans without documentation, stressing how lack of birth certificates or IDs blocks access to education.

"Without it, schools won’t enrol them, and they face discrimination,” he said.

“We ensure that no matter how disadvantaged a child is, they can still get assistance. We give them a professional space to access donors,” he added.