Methodist Ministry amongst refugees in Osire Refugee Camp, Namibia

Methodist Ministry amongst Refugees in Osire Refugee Camp, Namibia.

During a visit to Namibia last month with the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, it was inspiring to visit the Osire Refugee camp 225kms north of the capital Windhoek. In the camp, the Methodist Church has a ministry to asylum seekers and refugees from countries across Africa and further afield. Most of the refugees at Osire come from war zones in Angola and Congo.

The Methodist ministry in the camp was begun by the inspiring ministry of Rev. Everestu Kemaya, himself a refugee from Congo, who is now the Circuit minister for the Rundu Circuit in the north of the country, bordering Angola. And although there is no Minister currently serving the camp, the church is served by an Evangelist, Malanda Boniface Kassander, himself a refugee who lives in the camp.

We met in the simple mud-brick, tin-roofed building that serves as their Church and were joined by about 30 church members of all ages who proceeded to spend the next two hours singing, dancing and giving thanks to God for the gift of life and for what He provides.

The Methodist Church is committed to providing a ministry amongst the refugees, particular of pre-school education and providing basic needs. Of the three Kindergarten schools in the camp, two are Methodist. Each month the residents are given maize meal, beans, cooking oil, salt and sugar. Because of the shortage of wood in the area – it is a barren landscape – they are not allowed to collect wood outside the camp, so they are sometimes given wood and paraffin for cooking. Many grow their own vegetables both to feed themselves and to supplement their income.

Life in the refugee camp is not easy. It is possible to find work outside the camp but to do so requires a permit from the government. Moreover, the nearest town is a long way away; public transport is expensive and there is high unemployment in Namibia. Repatriation to their home countries is impossible for most residents due to political instability and violence in the countries of origin, and settlement in Europe or beyond is extremely difficult in the current political climate. Many are skilled but they do not have the money to buy the equipment that would enable them to work. Many would like to undertake Courses online, but there is little wifi availability and few people possess computers.

In spite of these many challenges, we were moved and inspired by the resilience, positivity, faith and determination of the residents we met. Most had been through horrific experiences in their lives and yet they were determined to build a better future for their families and make a positive contribution to wherever they might be able to settle. In the meantime, they are involved in contributing to the life of the Refugee Camp itself and to providing hope for their children. The Methodist Church seeks to be a partner in this endeavour and being life and light amidst troubled contexts.

Andrew Ashdown
Partnership Coordinator for Africa. Global Relationships Team.

namibia. osire refugee camp. david turtle bishop christopher gaya colin gertz

namibia osire refugee camp methodist kindergarten

namibia osire refugee camp methodist kindergarten 2

namibia osire refugee camp worship

namibia osire refugee camp methodist members outside church