The Capricorn Foundation has donated N.dollars 120 000 to the Omba Arts Trust in Windhoek, allowing it to provide logistical assistance in the production and sale of handicrafts, as well as training to artisans.

For over 30 years, Omba Arts Trust has been a non-profit, fair-trade social enterprise, assisting over 450 rural artisans in nine regions.

Omba Arts Trust Director, Karin le Roux told Nampa on Wednesday that because Namibia is a large country with a small population, providing the necessary support to artisans who live in remote, rural areas of the country, particularly Ju’hoansi, !Xung and Hei/Omn San living on resettlement farms in the Omaheke and Ohangwena regions, is always a challenge.

She stated that the Omba Arts Trust works to support the sustainable livelihoods and resilience of Namibia’s economically disadvantaged rural artisans by developing and marketing some of Namibia’s most iconic handicrafts as well as San contemporary art.

“Our long-established partnership with the artisans has been built on trust, and the Capricorn Foundation’s support enables us to uphold that trust and our goal of supporting the artisans. We recognise the challenges that many of our artisans’ communities face, which is why we have incorporated initiatives such as gardening projects, education of our artisans’ children, and health and wellness,” Le Roux said.

Capricorn Foundation Executive Officer, Marlize Horn noted that according to the Republic of Namibia’s Arts and Culture Policy, the mission of Government in arts and culture is to promote unity in diversity, to give all Namibians a sense of identity and pride in their creative talents, and to improve quality of life.

She went on to say that Capricorn Foundation recognises the value of art in social development because its main goal is to improve society and help others find their own creative outlets.

“We believe it is critical to collaborate with organisations that promote social change and empower communities to become self-sufficient. The work of the Omba Arts Trust is consistent with one of the Capricorn Foundation’s primary focus areas, namely economic advancement, and it empowers some of Namibia’s most vulnerable communities,” Horn said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency