By Hilja Shikongo 

As the coldest weather sweeps across Windhoek, a group of young professionals from Capricorn Group turned up not just with soup but with smiles, stories, and hope. Known as the ChangeMakers, these 20 youthful volunteers brought warmth and inspiration to the children of Family of Hope Services in Havanna informal settelement on June 21, a day before the longest night of winter in the southern hemisphere. Driven by their “Winter Warmers” initiative, the ChangeMakers transformed an ordinary winter day into one filled with laughter, encouragement, and real human connection. 

As steaming cups of homemade soup were served to children and staff, something deeper was also shared friendship, care, and a sense of belonging. For many of the children at Family of Hope Services, a place that has long served as a safe space for vulnerable youth, this was not just about food. It was about being seen, heard, and appreciated. The volunteers did not just serve meals. They sat on the ground, engaged in colouring activities, shared dreams, and encouraged the children to think bigger about their futures. From heartfelt conversations to lively football matches that echoed with laughter and shouts of “Goal!”, the experience left everyone warmed not just by the soup, but by a renewed sense of hope. 

“These moments matter. “It is not just about soup, it’s about letting these kids know someone cares,” said one volunteer during an emotional reflection at the end of the day. What made the initiative even more meaningful is its alignment with several key global goals. Capricorn Group’s Winter Warmers is directly linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Capricorn Group has long encouraged its employees, especially its young professionals, to become active contributors to their communities. 

Through volunteer programs like ChangeMakers, they have taken on projects ranging from painting community centres to supporting early childhood education centres, always under the banner of being “connectors of positive change.” “This is more than just a one-day event. When our people give of themselves in this way, through time, kindness, and heart, it reminds us what community means. These small moments have big echoes,” said Marlize Horn, Capricorn spokesperson. She added that change starts with showing up. Whether it is through a shared meal, a conversation, or a football match on a dusty field, it’s the simple acts of care that help shape futures.