Inga Peters’ Story

Having a godchild at the Haven is a wonderful gift for me! We send each other letters, and on my birthday, I always get a birthday song sent to me via WhatsApp.
The Haven is also very important to me professionally; my music students organize a charity recital for the Haven once a year, and all proceeds from the recital go to Omaruru.
But the best part was—and still is—visiting the Haven itself. My son and I traveled to Omaruru around Easter in 2024, and I’m grateful that I got to see and experience my sponsored child and the entire Haven.
For hours, they sang, danced, and drew pictures for me and with me; my hair was perfectly styled and braided; the greenhouse was proudly shown off; and, of course, they gave me a tour of the rooms and the entire facility. The younger children didn’t want to let go of my hands at all. Their openness and warmth toward a complete stranger moved me deeply.
After the singing and dancing, the courtyard turned into a soccer field; my son stood in goal and had to block many good shots, and then we moved on to a game of chess.
Amid all the hustle and bustle around me, I found it remarkable how the older kids looked after the younger ones. The older kids would hold the very little ones on their laps, and whenever there were arguments among the younger ones, the older ones would step in and settle things. It really was like a big family, where everyone looks out for one another.
Even the very oldest ones, who had actually already moved out of Haven, came “home” to Haven for the weekend. Fantastic!!!
And in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, the house mothers are there day and night, holding everything together and never losing track of what’s going on.
Filled to the brim with good wishes, we returned to our hotel after our day at Haven, grateful for all the wonderful encounters and grateful to Sonja Mumbala, who, with sooo much dedication, is giving my godchild and all the other children a new home.

Inga Peters