The Center is located on a half-acre plot in the slums of Otjiomuise, a township situated on the farthest outskirts of the capital city of Windhoek.
The plot of land, owned by Mammadu Trust, is fully fenced.
The buildings of the Center were designed to get optimum exposure: cool in the summer and maximum sun in the winter.
Whenever possible we use recycled materials: plastic bottles for the greenhouse, glass shards for decoration, old tires for the playgrounds and the embankments.
We are in the planning stage to implement an electrical power supply system with solar panels and an irrigation system using earthenware jars.
INDOOR SPACES
- a kitchen with two industrial stoves and an oven, a large refrigerator and a freezer (we serve 500 meals weekly);
- a pantry for storing food supplies;
- two study halls, one for younger and one for older kids;
- a lab for cutting, sewing and other creative activities used by the mothers;
- separate toilet facilities for boys, girls and our personnel;
- a storeroom.
OUTDOOR SPACES
- a playground fully equipped with swings etc.;
- a sports field consisting of pounded local clay soil;
- a small orchard and a greenhouse.
THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
We bought the plot in July 2010.
In May 2011 we started the building project which was completed in August and we already opened the Center to the first children in need of care on September 23 of the same year.
In 2012 we realized phase two, working on outfitting the outdoor spaces.
In 2014 we added two classrooms thanks to financial support from the Province of Trento and the Nadir Association Onlus.
THE EXPANSION PROJECT: THE BAKERY
In 2015 we built a new building which will be used as a bakery to create useful on the job training opportunities for youngsters and other members of the community.
In addition the bakery will supply the Center itself as well as the nearby community with freshly baked cheap bread. The bakery has been partly subsidized by the German Embassy in Windhoek and by private funds.