Side by Side is a registered non-profit organization under Section 21 (Reg. Number: 21/2013/0487) founded by Sandra Hollweg and Anita Nangombe. They started and funded this project mainly through German donors. Sandra, the former director of Side by Side, used her profession and knowledge to create a strong supporting system within the harsh environment of the township communities. Due to the lack of support for Early Intervention and Pre – primary education for children disabilities, her investment over the last years has made a tremendous impact in this communities. Her passion for children with disabilities and their development is contagious and inspirational.
In December 2017 Sandra Hollweg returned to Germany and Huipie van Wyk took up the position. As a mother of a child with a Severe Disability she understands the importance of Support in the community but mostly in the medical field. She is using her drive, knowledge, experience and contacts she has gained over the last 7 years to improve the services that Side by Side offers and to maintain the pace at which the Centre needs to grow to meet the demands of the community and the children of Namibia with disabilities.
In addition to our core mission of early intervention, Side by Side also serves as an educational resource hub, offering workshops and informational sessions to empower families with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the journey of raising a child with a disability. Through these initiatives, we strive to build a network of support that extends beyond the walls of our center, creating lasting positive impacts in the lives of the children and their families.
Side by Side Early Intervention Centre is not just a place; it’s a haven where hope, inclusion, and growth converge to shape a brighter future for every child we serve.
Through ADVOCACY we hope to strengthen services of EARLY DETECTION, EARLY INTERVENTION, AND COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION. We believe that every child with a disability has the right to:
The need in Namibia is undeniable. Expanding this means that we can reach out to not just families living in Windhoek, but all-around Namibia. Starting small therapy Centres in rural areas.
Between 6 and 8 mothers will be given an opportunity to live in one house, managed by a team of professionals working on a program over 6 months teaching these parents how to become the best version of a special need mother/caretaker. They will be taught life skills, management skills, punctuality and entrepreneurship.
We would want to grow from an Early Intervention Centre to a School facility catering to children from birth to 18. The school will provide an inclusion system for children not only with intellectual disability but also with a physical disability.
This Centre will provide immediate backup and information to the families. We are already achieving this through the DUN setup. The DUN directory is available on our website to download.
Side by Side will provide a training facility where these parents and therapists come for training to extend our centres to more areas around Namibia. Due to the vast spaces in between rural areas 5 facilities will be needed to cover the North, and 2 in the South.
Increased awareness has a double benefit. It can assist with the prevention of disability as well as with maximizing the potential of all children with disabilities. This awareness is currently an active campaign we are running through the support of the El-Andri Early intervention Trust and their butterfly project.
We will need to invest in a bus as transport for some of these children is a huge challenge. There is a great need for transport to and from appointments and workshops. This will need to be a donation.
This Centre will provide immediate backup and information to the families. We are already achieving this through the DUN setup. The DUN inventory will also be made available on our website within the next 2 months, so that would mean by the end of August 2019.
Swimming therapy supports sensory and motor development, especially for Cerebral Palsy clients. (Action date 2020)
Side by Side Early Intervention Centre is growing rapidly, and we need to grow in space as well, to achieve our goals.
Our team of dedicated professionals is passionate about early intervention, utilizing evidence-based practices to address developmental challenges and enhance the overall well-being of the children in our care. We understand the crucial role that family plays in a child’s growth and development, and as such, we actively involve and collaborate with parents and guardians to create a holistic support system.
