By Hilja Shikongo

SOS Children’s Villages Namibia will host its annual gala dinner under the theme “Unmasking Hope: Lighting the Way for the Namibian Child”, combining elegance, music, and storytelling with the mission of transforming young lives.
The gala dinner is more than just a night of entertainment. It forms part of a national fundraising drive to strengthen family-based care programmes, provide educational support, and empower vulnerable children across the country.
“Funds raised from this gala dinner will go directly towards providing food, shelter, healthcare, education, and psychosocial support to children in our villages and outreach programmes,” said June Shimoushili, National Sponsorship Coordinator at SOS Children’s Village Namibia. 
“At the same time, we are investing in families and communities to ensure self-reliance, which reduces the risks of child neglect and abandonment,” she added.  
Founded in Namibia 41 years ago, SOS Children’s Villages has established a presence in Windhoek, Ondangwa, and Tsumeb, with outreach programmes nationwide. The organisation is dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up in a loving and supportive family environment, with access to the opportunities they need to thrive.
The gala dinner will also showcase the creativity of young beneficiaries, with artworks created by children and youth being auctioned on the evening. These pieces not only raise funds but also highlight the resilience and talent of those supported by SOS programmes.
Shimoushili noted that success stories from the villages demonstrate the long-term impact of such initiatives. 
“We have young people who grew up in SOS Villages and are now professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. One inspiring example is of a young woman who entered the programme as a child and today works as a qualified nurse, determined to give back to her community by keeping others healthy,” she said. Young people remain central to the organisation’s mission, with programmes designed to build independence and leadership skills. Through initiatives such as youth empowerment training, mentorship, and career guidance, SOS equips young Namibians to become confident and self-reliant. “Our youth are not just recipients of support they are active participants in shaping their own futures and leading change in their communities,” Shimoushili emphasised.
Beyond the gala dinner, SOS continues to run youth-focused initiatives, including the Eco Champions Accelerator Programme, which empowers young people to take action on climate change, and the Youth Employability Project (YEP!), which helps break cycles of poverty and unemployment through training and skills development.
Other fundraising activities, such as the Face-to-Face campaign in malls and digital fundraising platforms, further sustain the mission of ensuring that no child grows up alone. “As we celebrate 41 years of SOS in Namibia, our goal is to strengthen partnerships and create platforms for individuals, businesses, and communities to stand with us. Every contribution whether financial or through mentorship and advocacy lights the way for the Namibian child,” Shimoushili said.
The gala dinner promises to be an evening where purpose meets celebration, reminding Namibians that investing in children today is the surest way to build a stronger, more sustainable future.