BIG Pilot Project - Assessment Report - BIG Coalition Namibia

2.2 Expectations for the BIGMs. Willemina Gawises:With the BIG grant, there will be hope for us, atleast I will be able to buy my children food andsend them back to school. The money will mostlybe spent on food and school fees and uniforms.Maybe I will be able to travel to Windhoek to lookfor domestic work, because now I cannot look forwork. There is no money to travel there. Life willchange in Otjivero with BIG. Many people will havefood.Mr. Gawachab, Schoolteacher at the Otjivero PrimarySchool:The BIG will make it possible for families to payschool fees and to buy school uniforms for the children.Children will also have food and perhaps wecan even build a hostel.“With theBIG grant,there willbe hope forus, at leastI will beable to buymy childrenfood andsend themback toschool. ”(WilleminaGawises)Mr. Thomas, Station Commander:I believe that through the BIG, poverty will be reduced.The standard of living will be upgraded alittle but there are zero chances for people to findjobs.Ms. Mbangu, the nurse at the clinic explained howpoverty hinders access to health services and the fightagainst HIV and AIDS. She was hopeful that the BIGwould facilitate access to the clinic and to anti-retroviraldrugs:Most don't come to the clinic, because they do nothave N$ 4,-. They are sick, but they stay at home.Not all people who are HIV positive are on ARVs becausethey can’t get transport to Gobabis. It costthem about N$ 100 to take taxis from Otjivero toGobabis and back. Then they are hungry but havenothing to eat. The BIG will be good for the peoplehere and will help them to pay N$ 4,- and also topay for transport to get the ARVs in Gobabis.“The BIGwill be goodfor thepeople hereand willhelp themto pay N$4,- and alsoto pay fortransport toget theARVs inGobabis.”(Mbangu,nurse at theclinic)31