From pages to possibilities

Homegrown storybooks for Namibia’s children

In the urban slums of Namibia, where poverty and limited access to resources are a daily reality, early literacy and a love for reading are critical for children. These informal settlements are marked by overcrowding and limited educational facilities, creating substantial challenges for young minds. Hilma Weber, an advocate for change, is working on an initiative to bring the joy of storytelling to underprivileged children in these communities.

In 2019, Hilma established the Play for All early childhood development programme under Development Workshop Namibia. During her visits to early childhood development centres in disadvantaged urban and rural areas, she noticed a significant lack of reading material for children. This shortage was inhibiting children from accessing the fundamental knowledge and imaginative experiences that reading provides.

Driven by her belief in the importance of access to resources in addressing inequality, Hilma began collecting books from generous donors and her personal library. She started visiting these centres to read to the children, witnessing their excitement during these reading sessions. This experience inspired her to create children’s storybooks tailored to the experiences and aspirations of these children.

Hilma’s motivation for writing children’s storybooks stems from her own upbringing in a small village in northern Namibia. She wanted to provide underprivileged children with literature that could inspire them to imagine a world beyond their immediate surroundings, and for the children of Namibia to understand what is so special about their beautiful country and to have pride in being part of it.

Recognising the importance of early literacy, along with a sense of place and pride in one’s country, Hilma has published four children’s books with a focus on fostering a love for reading, while also revelling in the beauty and wonder of Namibia. One notable creation is My Children’s Picture Atlas of Namibia, which introduces young readers to the country’s geography, culture and natural resources in an easily understandable format. These books aim to level the playing field between underprivileged and privileged children.

Children from more privileged backgrounds can learn about their country by going on holidays with their families. However, the children from less privileged backgrounds cannot.

Hilma’s efforts extend beyond book creation. She ensures that these resources are distributed free of charge in informal settlements. Through Development Workshop Namibia’s Library Box Project these books, together with a range of other story books in local languages, are provided to centres and also distributed free of charge through reading events and to parents of young children. The kindergarten children and teachers love the books as they can immediately relate to them. Kindergarten teachers have shared stories of the children being excited to use the child-friendly atlas to show their friends where their parents work or come from, to choose which are their favourite animals, favourite houses, favourite landscapes, and to play the game of “find the Namibian flag” in the different pages of the book. “Children from more privileged backgrounds can learn about their country by going on holidays with their families. However, the children from less privileged backgrounds cannot,” says Hilma.

But the work does not stop there. Hilma is currently working on additional storybooks centred around socio-emotional wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem. She is also on the verge of launching a non-profit initiative, which aims to gather and develop content for African children, produce storybooks and provide learning material to enhance access to children’s resources. While these books are donated to underprivileged children, they are sold to more financially secure families and visitors to Namibia. The proceeds from book sales support Development Workshop Namibia’s ongoing efforts to enhance early childhood education in disadvantaged communities through the Play for All programme.

Hilma Weber’s work goes beyond mere storytelling; it is a testament to the transformative power of reading and imagination. Through her dedication and commitment, she is sowing the seeds of curiosity and knowledge in the hearts and minds of children, supporting children’s self-development and their understanding of their world. She believes that the magic of reading is not only a means of exploration but also a key to empowerment and change. In every word, illustration and page, Hilma’s mission brings the world of reading to underprivileged children, offering them access to diverse and inclusive stories that inspire curiosity and knowledge for generations to come.

These books are for sale if you'd like to support the programme. For more information into the work carried our by Development Workshop Namibia, explore our website at www.dw-namibia.org.