Windhoek:Bank Windhoek has invested more than N$4 million in community development initiatives since the establishment of its Empathy Project in 2015, including N$700,000 allocated to this year's programme.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the bank's annual initiative provides employees with seed funding to identify and address community needs, with nearly 2,000 staff members participating in projects across Namibia this year.

Teams from branches and departments nationwide have engaged in projects to improve sanitation, water storage, school safety, hygiene, and access to necessities for children, learners, and community members in need. In Ongwediva, employees constructed a traditional pit latrine at the Dr Frans Aupa Indongo Special Children Centre, which cares for approximately 40 children with special needs.

The Oshakati North branch team addressed a lack of water storage by installing a new 5,000-litre water tank and providing stationery, benefiting more than 300 learners. In Eenhana, employees donated fencing to a newly established school with 131 learners to improve security.

Other interventions included providing toiletries to 40 secondary school learners in Noordoewer, donating building materials to the Home of Good Hope in Windhoek, and distributing care packages to car guards in Swakopmund.

Bank Windhoek Head of Strategic Communication and Social Impact, Bronwyn Moody, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond financial contributions by encouraging employees to engage directly with communities. The bank stated that the Empathy Project is part of its efforts to support communities through practical interventions and employee participation.