Future

Become a Donor for Spoonk Loves Namibia

Make a Difference in the Lives of Children in Gobabis, Namibia!

Since 2016, Stichting SPOONK loves Namibia has been working to establish an Arts & Theatre School in the Epako slum. We believe in the transformative power of art, theater, dance, and music to provide children with a brighter future. Thanks to your support, our 2023 pilot program has already reached 150 children, including 10 street children and several school drop-outs.

Our team of seven passionate youth and artists from Gobabis offers creative lessons five afternoons a week at the local library. But to continue this vital work, we need your help.

Your donation can help:

  • Provide children with a nutritious meal before their lessons begin.
  • Purchase essential materials such as paint, audio equipment, and theater supplies.
  • Cover expenses for our local teachers.

With your contribution, we can ensure this life-changing project continues, enabling children to rediscover their talents in February 2025. Together, we can build a sustainable future for the Arts & Theatre School.

Donate today and change lives!

Become a Bestie for a drukkie (means a hug in Afrikaans).

Would you like to donate €25 per year? Simply scan the QR code above!

But we’re equally thrilled with more or less—whatever you feel comfortable giving. Just click the green button, and your donation request will be sent to us automatically via email. We’ll reply with a confirmation and additional details. No commitments, no pressure.

Your support allows us to continue this wonderful project, funding essential items like:

  • Art and theater materials for the creative classes.
  • Laptops for the animation class.
  • Musical instruments for the music lessons.
  • Food and drinks for the children, many of whom suffer from malnutrition. After all, learning is tough on an empty stomach!

The first 10 Besties will also receive a handmade “Spoonk Loves Namibia” pillow in 2024.
All donors will be kept up to date through our annual newsletter and will have their names proudly displayed on our website—along with our eternal gratitude.

Our Besties from 2023 included:

  • Mr. J. Rypma, Bears
  • Ms. A. Visch & Mr. de Jong, Leeuwarden
  • Mr. J. Zweers, Leeuwarden
  • Ms. A. van der Mark, Leeuwarden
  • Mr. H. Bakker, Drachten
  • Mr. H. Kroese, Berltsum
  • Flow Mazur Management, Rotterdam
  • Sarah van der Meere, Groningen
  • Karin van de Ridder, Ter Apel
  • Ms. J.Y. Brinksma, Friesland
  • Ms. A.P. Kroon-Kruithof, Rotterdam
  • Ms. R. Heuthorst, Rotterdam
  • Ms. Coby, Rotterdam
  • The Kroese Family, Deinum
  • Vera Mulder, Joure
  • The E. Postma Family, Leeuwarden
  • Sint Anthony Gasthuis, Leeuwarden
  • Woonzorgcentrum Rispinge, Drachten

And our first Bestie of 2024:

  • Ellen Doodkorte, Leeuwarden

Become a Bestie and make a difference! ❤️

Photo: 2020 Workbook with 55 theater exercises and techniques to use when working with participatory drama. This book was specially developed for this project and is available for €29 via info@spoonk.com. Half of the proceeds go directly to the project.

Plans for the Near Future

Photo: 2023 The learners from Epako during a rehearsel for our final dance presentation

Project Relaunch

 In February 2023, Caro Kroon and musician Reinout Weima (a new board member) traveled to Gobabis to relaunch the project, which had been on hold for three years due to COVID-19. From mid-October to mid-November 2023, a small group of three teachers conducted a pilot version in collaboration with the library.

Caro Kroon and her team took responsibility for the content, including lessons and didactic training for teachers. The pilot reached 150 children, including 10 street children and a few school dropouts.

The Future
In February 2025, the second version of the school will launch following an in-depth evaluation. The working group in Gobabis will independently operate for a week, supported by masterclasses for teachers in the first week. This time, there will be no auditions. Prior to the project, two team members will visit all 12 schools with registration lists to ensure the lessons can start immediately upon arrival. The program will feature five days of lessons for children, continuous support for local teachers, and a focus on skill development. The project will culminate in a small performance uniting all disciplines.

Additionally, a student exchange program between Gobabis and Leeuwarden will be initiated. Connections will be reestablished, and plans for rebuilding the amphitheater in a better location will be further developed in collaboration with the ministries and as a joint project with the library.

Summary: Arts & Drama School Olivia Gobabis

The Arts & Drama School in Gobabis (Namibia) focuses on:

  • Talent Development: Helping young people discover their talents and lead meaningful lives.
  • Educational Improvement: Training educational staff for better teaching in schools and childcare facilities.
  • After-School Activities: Providing programs focused on talent development.
  • Cultural Growth: Organizing artistic expressions such as dance, music, theater, film, and exhibitions.
  • Cultural Identity: Strengthening regional connections and diversity.
  • Inspiration: Introducing international art and theater to inspire creativity.
  • Creative Hub: Establishing Gobabis as a regional and international center for creativity.
  • Physical Infrastructure: Rebuilding an amphitheater as a central location.
  • Springboard for Talent: Creating pathways for local talent to progress to arts education and careers, supported by scholarships.

Resources:

  • Expertise and knowledge transfer by educators and students from NHL-Stenden, Friese Poort, Friesland College (D’Drive), and other professionals.
  • Fundraising where necessary to achieve the objectives.

Goals of the School

Goals of the Arts & Drama School Gobabis

  • Youth Development: Empowering young people to discover their skills and potential.
  • Cultural Identity: Strengthening and connecting diverse cultural groups in the region.
  • Exposure to Art: Introducing young people to various art forms.
  • Global Inspiration: Inspiring youth with arts and theater from around the country and the world (exhibitions, performances, films, etc.).
  • Teacher Empowerment: Encouraging teachers to incorporate art and theater into their lessons to foster children’s development.
  • Creative Hub: Positioning Gobabis as a regional and international center for creativity.
  • Teacher Support: Training and inspiring teachers to integrate creative techniques into regular lessons.
  • Collaborative Growth: Strengthening partnerships between African artists and education.

The Arts & Drama School serves as a springboard for local talent to advance to arts programs within Namibia and abroad, while improving prospects for all participants on multiple levels.

Objective of the Spoonk Loves Namibia foundation

Realizing and supporting an Arts & Drama School in Gobabis (Namibia) that aims to:

  • Developing and stimulating the talents of (particularly young) residents and contributing to a meaningful life.
  • Supporting and developing the skills and talents of pedagogical workers in schools and pre-schools in order to provide more adequate education.
  • Offering after-school care with a focus on talent development.
  • Realizing cultural expressions in the region with art, dance, music, film and theatre.
  • Strengthening and binding the cultural identity of various groups in the region.
  • Let them come into contact (inspire) with other ‘Arts & Theatre’ from the rest of the country/the world (photography exhibitions, art exhibitions, dance and theater performances, concerts, film, etc.)
  • Creating a ‘creative hub’ in Gobabis and putting it as such on the (inter)national map
  • Realization of a physical center (Amphitheater) in Gobabis
  • The Arts & Drama School can serve as a ‘springboard’ for (local) talent to progress to other art courses elsewhere or abroad.
  • Multi-level future prospects: from personal development to offering scholarships to an x ​​number of talented students.

Resources:

  • Transfer of knowledge and skills by the SPOONK loves Namibia Foundation appointed teachers and students from NHL-Stenden, Friese Poort, Friesland College (D’Drive) and other experts who can contribute to the objectives.
  • Where possible and necessary fundraising for the realization of the goals.

Project Timeline and Milestones 2016-2025

Project Timeline and Milestones: 2016–2025

2016–2019

  • Work Visits: Gooitsen Eenling and Caro Kroon.
    • Meetings with the Gobabis Municipality.
    • Masterclasses for primary school teachers.
    • Workshops for children at City Hall and local schools.
    • Meetings with ministers from various ministries.
  • Milestone: Establishment of Stichting SPOONK loves Namibia.

2018–2020

  • Education: Caro Kroon completed a Master’s in Arts & Education at the Piet Zwart Institute, Rotterdam, focusing on this project.

2020–2021

  • Pause: No work visits or progress due to COVID-19.
  • Milestone: ANBI status granted to Stichting SPOONK.

2023

  • February: Work visit by Reinout Weima and Caro Kroon.
  • March–September: Fundraising and donation campaigns.
  • October–November: Launch of the Pilot Arts & Theatre School (named Olivia).
    • Team: Valerie van de Ridder, Roann Postma, Albert Scheffer, and Caro Kroon.

2024

  • Evaluation: Comprehensive review of 2023 activities. Results shared with the Gobabis Municipality and ministries.
  • March–September: Continued fundraising and program development.
  • Leadership Transition:
    • Reinout Weima succeeded Gooitsen Eenling as secretary.
    • Hendrik Kroese succeeded Albert Scheffer as treasurer.

2025

  • February–March: Follow-up sessions at the Arts & Theatre School led by Valerie van de Ridder, Bart Roelofs, Hendrik Kroese, and Caro Kroon.
    • Gobabis Team to independently run the school for one week.
  • Teacher Training: Didactic workshops offered in August. Registration opens in March 2025.

Outreach and Publicity:

  • Campaigns via social media, radio, flyers, posters, and partner websites.
  • Use of municipal and partner networks, along with SPOONK’s supporter base.
  • Posters, flyers, and certificates designed by Caro Kroon and her interns.

Future Plans:

  • Expand the Arts & Theatre Schools across the Omaheke region and potentially throughout Namibia.