Project Never Walk Alone has adopted a three-year rollout plan to provide shoes to 31,500 barefoot children across Namibia, with a total projected budget of N$12.92 million for the period 2026 to 2028, the organisation said.
The 2026 phase targets 10,000 children in Oshana, Kharas, Otjozondjupa and Omusati at a combined cost of N$3.92 million. Each region will receive 2,500 pairs of shoes, to be distributed between March and November, according to the project.
Since its inception, the initiative has already assisted 12,750 children across nine regions. This includes 2,200 pairs distributed in Zambezi, 1,823 in Kunene, 1,853 in Khomas and 1,355 in Kavango East, project figures show.
In 2027, the project plans to distribute a further 11,500 pairs of shoes at an estimated cost of N$4.6 million, focusing on Ohangwena, Kavango East, Kavango West and Kunene, it said.
Kavango East is expected to receive 4,000 pairs in 2027, compared to 2,500 in each of the other targeted regions, as it currently records more than 14,000 barefoot children, the highest number nationally, according to the initiative.
The final phase in 2028 aims to reach another 10,000 children in Ohangwena, Khomas, Kavango East and Hardap. This phase carries a total allocation of N$4.4 million, with an equal distribution of 2,500 pairs per region, Project Never Walk Alone said.
The organisation said the continued lack of shoes affects school attendance and children’s confidence, adding that fundraising efforts will be intensified to meet the planned targets.
It also appealed for broader private-sector participation, noting limited contributions from the fishing and mining industries to date.
