A DAY after being awarded with a doctorate degree honoris causa by the University of Namibia, Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun launched her foundation aimed at empowering the African girl child, especially in the areas of education and entrepreneurship.

Namundjebo-Tilahun, who has successfully run businesses in different sectors especially the hospitality industry told The Namibian that she has been thinking very hard about how she can make a humble contribution towards the development and empowerment of the African girl child and that is how her Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun Foundation was born.

“For a long time now, I have been thinking very hard about how I can make a humble contribution towards the development and empowerment of the African girl child in a manner that can build a very strong foundation upon which African women can make meaningful contributions towards the development of their continent and humanity in general,” she said.

Namundjebo-Tilahun says she had the idea to establish a foundation through which she can mobilise support from different sources aimed at empowering the African girl child, especially in the areas of education and entrepreneurship.

“With the honorary doctorate from the University of Namibia, I could not have found a more opportune moment to launch such a foundation and put into practice what I have been dreaming and planning for some time now,” said Namundjebo-Tilahun.

The decision to have the foundation bear her name, according to her, is driven by the fact that it will highlight her personal commitment to the work of the foundation and the role it shall play in the life of the African girl child.

“We will use this foundation to provide inspiration in various forms to the African girl child and encourage her to pursue her dreams with confidence. We hope to inspire the African girl child to dream limitlessly and gain confidence in chasing such dreams,” she further said.

According to Namundjebo-Tilahun, the foundation will nurture the girl child to be a key architect of society and cradle of hope by identifying, empowering and reaching out to the African girl child in various communities, providing education and financial assistance to equip the African girl child with entrepreneurial skills as well as providing continuous mentorship in the various aspects of a woman's life.

“The key values of the foundation will be nurturing the girl child today for tomorrow, care for the future of the girl child and empowering women to grow society.
Namundjebo-Tilahun further said it is important to emphasise the continental nature of the foundation as it will not just be for Namibia but for the whole continent.

“It will seek to identify the empowerment needs of the African girl child, primarily in the areas of education and entrepreneurship,” she further told The Namibian.

Namundjebo-Tilahun however could not divulge the amount of money she invested in starting up the foundation saying it is not always about the money but how various people can come together and make an impact in the lives of the African girl child.