Children Immagine's passion
"If you have some free time and want to help, go to any orphanage and spend time with the children. It means so much to them. Remember, their parents abandoned them and any person who cares for them makes their world better. Your time means more to the children than you will ever realize," said Immagine Shikomba, the founder of the Keemunda Foundation.Her late grandmother named her Keemunda, which means "mountains" in Oshiwambo.
"My grandmother said Keemunda comes from a Psalm in the Bible which means 'help comes from the mountains'. She often said that I have an open hand and always want to help people. I never took it to heart. One day, when I was still at school, I woke up in the morning and wanted to help people."
Immagine started asking around about what she could do and how she could help. She did not want to help a large established orphanage, but rather a small one that was struggling.
"A woman contacted me and told me about an orphanage in Okuryangava. I was still in school and didn't have loads of money, but I had a lot of time on my hands. I visited them and spent time with the children and helped them with their homework."
She sometimes gave her taxi money that she had to use for school to the orphanage when there was no power or food. She also collected second-hand clothes and distributed them to the people in tin shacks.
"I really didn't have much money, but I wanted to help and I knocked on many businesses' doors. Since I wasn't registered, I was almost always turned away, even though I didn't ask for money. I still don't want money . If you want to donate food or blankets, give them to me rather than money."
Soup kitchen
Immagine's grandmother passed away in 2020 and she registered the Keemunda Foundation thereafter. Today she and her team go to orphanages and cook soup in their kitchens.
“We bring everything; from our own pots and ingredients to the wood. We put up posters so that the people of the area know that there will be soup on that day and then we will cook it for them.
"We usually make food for between 300 and 400 children. It is incredibly sad when people arrive, looking for a cup of soup, and the pots are empty. It's happening more and more."
The saddest moment was when one of the orphanage mothers called her and told her about a child who had died of hunger. "No child deserves to die of hunger. The orphanages get no help from the government and I give food and help as I can. I don't always have something to give when they call and say the food is ready or the power is out."
This year Immagine decided to launch a collection campaign for winter blankets and food.
"When you snuggle up under your blanket, think about the fact that there are children who share a blanket. With your help, we can make a difference in their lives. Even if you give one blanket, it means two children have their own blankets this winter. Every little bit helps and makes a huge difference."
Immagine also wants to help look after the children's mental health.
"I suffered from depression, and praying and reading helped me with that. If you talk to the children, they will tell you that their parents threw them away because they didn't want them anymore.
"Many of the children were simply left in front of the gate of the orphanage. Reading provides an escape from their daily life; so if anyone has children's books that are collecting dust, I would also really appreciate it."