My trip to Namibia

Over the past 12 days, I have driven nearly 4,000 kilometres through Namibia in Africa. I met many wonderful people and gave presentations to nurses.

Helping young graduate nurses to build their future and sharing knowledge about dementia in the remote areas of Namibia.

This is the adventure I have embarked upon. With the establishment of a company in Namibia: CrossCare Health and Community Services CC, the first step has been taken.

And Namibia is not a random choice. It is one of the youngest democracies in Africa and the third least densely populated country in the world. Twenty times larger than the Netherlands, with only three million inhabitants. A country where people and nature live in harmony, with a culture in which ‘informal care’ is not explicitly named because it is the core of their society, and thus considered ‘normal’.

Three years ago, I met Berrie Holtzhausen. He was born in Namibia and, for 15 years, has passionately and knowledgeably led Alzheimer Dementia Namibia (ADN). A ‘family home’ where people with dementia live.

• Where they do not receive standard care but support.
• Assistance is provided where needed so that they can continue to do everything themselves.
• No medicines are used that suppress symptoms.

“100% recognising inclusion as a valuable member of society”

There is a large group of unemployed nurses. Young professionals who, after university, cannot find work in Namibia. At the same time, there is extremely little knowledge about dementia among the population of Namibia. Together with ADN, we are going to train these nurses, both in Namibia by ADN and also in the Netherlands, where they will work in nursing homes.

By establishing a fund, we support:

• The nurses who wish to return after three to five years.
• Awareness campaigns about dementia in remote areas.
• Awareness campaigns about dementia at universities.
• Projects in collaboration with the ministries and local government.

“100% recognising inclusion as a valuable member of society”

There is a large group of unemployed nurses. Young professionals who, after university, cannot find work in Namibia. At the same time, there is extremely little knowledge about dementia among the population of Namibia. Together with ADN, we are going to train these nurses, both in Namibia by ADN and also in the Netherlands, where they will work in nursing homes.

By establishing a fund, we support:

• Where they do not receive standard care but support.
• Assistance is provided where needed so that they can continue to do everything themselves.
• No medicines are used that suppress symptoms.

“100% recognizing inclusion as a valuable member of society”

There is a large group of unemployed nurses. Young professionals who, after university, cannot find work in Namibia. At the same time, there is extremely little knowledge about dementia among the population of Namibia. Together with ADN, we are going to train these nurses, both in Namibia by ADN and also in the Netherlands, where they will work in nursing homes.

By establishing a fund, we support:

• The nurses who wish to return after three to five years.
• Awareness campaigns about dementia in remote areas.
• Awareness campaigns about dementia at universities.
• Projects in collaboration with the ministries and local government.

We also want to share the vision and expertise of ADN in the Netherlands. They are a truly inspiring example and we invite healthcare professionals to take part in training at ADN in Namibia.

A three-month training programme in which you are trained both theoretically and practically in ADN’s vision on dementia. And, of course, in Namibia—which is a wonderful added bonus.

Over the past two weeks, together with Berrie, I have held meetings with Welwitchia University, UNAM University of Namibia and the Shadow Minister of Justice and Labour. These were wonderful discussions in which they acknowledged and supported the necessity. A solid foundation has been laid for the future.