Project HOPE US’ journey in Namibia and across Africa is one of transformation, collaboration, and growing impact, rooted in the organisation’s long-standing commitment to improving public health systems. The organisation’s involvement in the region dates back to 2002, when Project HOPE first began its efforts in Namibia by addressing some of the country’s most pressing health challenges. With the rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS, Project HOPE introduced workplace education programmes aimed at raising awareness about the virus and its transmission, providing essential information that empowered communities to take preventative measures.
This initial intervention marked the beginning of a deeper and more sustained engagement with the country’s health challenges. Over the next few years, Project HOPE expanded its focus to include tuberculosis (TB) treatment and education. The organisation recognised that TB was a significant public health issue in Namibia, and worked to strengthen the capacity of local health systems to combat the disease. This work was crucial, particularly in the northern regions of the country where the TB burden was highest. Alongside its efforts in TB control, Project HOPE focused on building the coping capacity of households and communities caring for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), who were disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. By addressing both the health needs and the economic hardships of these families, Project HOPE began to make a tangible difference in the lives of many Namibians.
As Project HOPE’s operations in Namibia continued to grow, it became increasingly clear that a more localised and indigenous approach to health interventions was essential for lasting change. This led to the establishment of Project HOPE Namibia (PHN) in 2005, a Namibian NGO that would serve as the focal point for the organisation’s work in the country. PHN quickly became a leader in public health in Namibia, offering technical expertise in infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and economic strengthening. It operated in close collaboration with government ministries and local partners, ensuring that its programmes were aligned with national health priorities and supported by the necessary technical and financial resources.
PHN further expanded its efforts even further, launching a programme that provided economic strengthening opportunities to OVC households. Through micro-credit loans, savings groups, and health education, this programme aimed to alleviate some of the financial burdens these households faced, while also equipping them with the tools needed to care for their children and ensure better health outcomes. As part of this initiative, PHN developed a curriculum specifically designed to support caregivers of OVCs, addressing essential topics related to caregiving, health management, and parenting. This holistic approach was instrumental in empowering communities to manage the complex challenges they faced, fostering long-term improvements in both health and economic stability.
Recognising the importance of supporting young women in particular, PHN also initiated programmes aimed at preventing the spread of HIV among this vulnerable group. In 2008, the organisation introduced initiatives that targeted young women in selected regions of Namibia, providing them with economic opportunities and health education. Young women were given the means to escape the cycle of poverty and reduce their risk of engaging in transactional sex, a major factor in the spread of HIV.
By 2008, PHN had built a strong, community-driven approach to tackling some of Namibia’s most pressing health issues, particularly HIV/AIDS and TB. This approach was characterised by a focus on local ownership and community engagement, as well as a commitment to long-term sustainability. The organisation’s growing expertise in these areas laid the foundation for the next phase of its work in Namibia and across the African continent.
By 2008, PHN had built a strong, community-driven approach to tackling some of Namibia’s most pressing health issues, particularly HIV/AIDS and TB. This approach was characterised by a focus on local ownership and community engagement, as well as a commitment to long-term sustainability. The organisation’s growing expertise in these areas laid the foundation for the next phase of its work in Namibia and across the African continent.
PHN’s work in Namibia quickly expanded, with the organisation implementing programmes in eight of the country’s fourteen regions. By working alongside local health systems, PHN was able to address the health needs of vulnerable populations, strengthen health workforce capacity, and improve access to critical health services. The organisation also provided vital technical support, grant management expertise, and health informatics solutions to ensure that its interventions were not only effective but also sustainable.
In 2023, Project HOPE Namibia (PHN) expanded its footprint further across the continent by launching a significant health intervention under the North Africa Saving Lives and Livelihoods programme. This initiative, aimed at strengthening health systems and addressing the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, was rolled out across seven North African countries, marking a key milestone in PHN’s regional expansion. Building on this momentum, just a year later, PHN launched a USD 60 million programme in Malawi focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment. This project represents a major investment in tackling the HIV epidemic in southern Africa, reinforcing PHN’s commitment to improving health outcomes and building resilient health systems across the continent.
Building on the success of PHN’s work in Namibia, the vision for a broader regional approach to public health began to take shape. The recognition of the health system gaps and challenges that persisted across Africa, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, spurred the creation of the Africa Public Health Network (APHN). Emerging from the rebranding of PHN, APHN was founded to address the persistent health system weaknesses across the continent, including limited access to healthcare, a shortage of health workers, and inadequate health infrastructure. APHN’s mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health systems by focusing on disease prevention, health equity, workforce development, and emergency preparedness, among other critical areas.
Building on the success of PHN’s work in Namibia, the vision for a broader regional approach to public health began to take shape. The recognition of the health system gaps and challenges that persisted across Africa, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, spurred the creation of the Africa Public Health Network (APHN). Emerging from the rebranding of PHN, APHN was founded to address the persistent health system weaknesses across the continent, including limited access to healthcare, a shortage of health workers, and inadequate health infrastructure. APHN’s mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health systems by focusing on disease prevention, health equity, workforce development, and emergency preparedness, among other critical areas.