Save the San Children

The oldest living culture in the world today needs your urgent help. Historically, they were treated as "vermin," and many groups were ruthlessly hunted and exterminated. Less than a century ago, it was possible for individuals to obtain a hunting license and kill them on sight. This systemic exploitation, persecution, racism, and hatred have left an indelible mark on the Ju/'hoansi people, perpetuating cycles of poverty, unemployment, loss of their culture, self-worth and consequential social unrest.

Mission and Vision

Save The San Children mission and vision: Empower Namibia’s marginalised Bushmen to support and celebrate their culture, dignity and spirituality. Drive economic growth through crafts manufacturing and tourism for sustainable self-sufficiency. Sow hope and show them that they are valued and wrapped in love.

How?

Cultural Revitalization: Support language and cultural revitalization programs to help the children preserve their traditional knowledge, language, and customs.
Economic Empowerment: Provide microfinance opportunities, vocational training, and access to markets for Bushmen artisans to raise funds from their crafts. Tourism development. Sustainable self-sufficiency.
Education and Capacity Building: Invest in facilities, education and training programs for the children, focusing on literacy, numeracy, cultural heritage, and life skills.
Health and Wellness: Support healthcare initiatives, feeding programs, focusing on mental health, HIV/AIDS, and chronic disease management.
Community Development: Facilitate community development projects, including infrastructure development, water access, and sanitation facilities.

Why Support the San Children?

The San people of Namibia, often known as Bushmen, face incredible adversity and struggle to preserve their unique cultural heritage. Centuries of exploitation have stripped away their identity, their lands, and their dignity.

But amidst the hardship, there is hope. Your support can help preserve their culture, provide education, and ensure a dignified future.

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Cultural Preservation and Empowerment

The San people’s culture is rich in history, spirituality, and connection to the land. By supporting language preservation, traditional knowledge, and arts programs, you ensure their heritage lives on.

Support traditional arts and crafts education, empower San artisans with market access, and help restore and preserve their ancestral lands.

Your contribution can provide essential resources such as building homes for families in need, providing educational resources and schooling, and ensuring healthcare and clean water access.

The Story of the Old Lady and Her Bed Wish

Beneath the wide expanse of the boundless sky, a woman lies on the ground, her spirit a tapestry woven with unfulfilled dreams. She is a paraplegic, her body bound while her heart yearns to soar. When I softly approached her, hoping to lend a hand, she responded with a voice tender yet heavy with longing basically saying:

“Doc, al waarvoor ek wens, is om op 'n bed te sterf” — “Doc, all I wish for is to die lying on a bed.”

In her 63 revolutions around the sun, she has never known the gentle embrace of a mattress, the serene sanctuary that cradles us in our most vulnerable moments. Her words, simple yet profound, echo the silent plea of so many who navigate the world differently, reminding us of the sacredness of the deep human desire for dignity. Let us, then, not turn away from this longing, but rather strive to grant her the solace she seeks - a chance to sleep in her own home and feel the softness of a bed beneath her, if only for a fleeting moment, and to honour her wish.

Learn more about the Organisation and the San people

Discover the powerful story behind Save the San Children and how your support can change lives. Our brochure offers an in-depth look at the struggles and triumphs of the San people, including personal stories that highlight their resilience and hope. It also outlines the different phases of our project designed to secure their future—from cultural preservation to economic empowerment and education. Each phase is essential in helping the San community thrive. Learn how you can be part of this transformative journey, preserving a culture, empowering a community, and creating lasting hope for the future.

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