Pilgrim Society continues its ministry to the San

From left to right: Robert Costache from the Omatako camp, Mr Deon Louw, Principal of Omatako Primary School, Chief John N Arnold, the !Kung Traditional Authority, Pr. Dan Serb, Mr Goma Auho Kavetene, Senior Councillor/Advisor.

Pilgrim Relief Society would like to announce that the work in the Kalahari continues with specific targets having been identified for this year and beyond. As of 1 January 2011, Sebastian Tirtirau, the President and Founder of the Society, has taken a sabbatical and thus an interim committee has been called to undertake the overseeing of fundraising for and management of any projects run by the Society.

The committee consists of the following persons:

Pilgrim Society North West, United States of America: Pastor Eddie Ciobanu
and Pastor Daniel Ciobanu.
Pilgrim Society Australia: Ovidiu Roman, Pastor Paul Boeru, Lidia Boeru,
Madalin Voinea and Talida Voinea.
Pilgrim Society Namibia: Pastor Dan Serb Supervisors for Omatako Kalahari Project:
Pastor Dan Serb and Michael Dadensky.

All funds raised will be directed to and/or by the people mentioned above with Ps Eddie Ciobanu as acting treasurer. Please note that none of the members of this committee is an employee of Pilgrim Society and thus all persons involved render their services on a voluntary basis and without receiving remuneration from the organization.

Herewith is an update regarding the Omatako Project:

Dan Serb visit: In April 2011, Ps Dan Serb visited the Omatako Project where he met with the volunteers involved and together assessed the needs and future potential of the mission project. Also, on Thursday, 7 April, Ps Dan met with Chief John N Arnold, the !Kung Traditional Authority at his residence in Omatako village. At the meeting were also present his Senior Councillor/Advisor, Mr Goma Auho Kavetene, Mr Deon Louw, Principal of Omatako Primary School and Robert Costache from the Omatako camp. Mr Louw presented a letter of support of the project signed by Mr Uvangua Jeomba, the region’s schools’ cluster centre head. This means that ALL the primary schools in the Tsumkwe West area support the project and have expressed their support in writing. Also, the Chief informed those present that he had had a meeting with the Minister of Environment and Tourism where the Minister had indicated that all the paper work is ready to be signed by Pilgrim in order to kick‐start the process of approval of the Land Leasehold. He also indicated that there are some funds made available by the government for the obtaining of the Environmental Impact Assessment. Moreover, in the near future, the Chief, together with Florin Skimbinski and Robert Costache will have an audience with the Minister, meeting arranged by the Chief himself. On that day, the Chief will sign the handover of 20 hectares to Pilgrim as well as sign a document of support of the proposal of acquiring the 5000 hectares. (More information will be given as it becomes available).

Omatako camp: The campsite is currently in a very good state considering that there was so much damage during the December storm. Also, of note, is the building of the new school. An American‐Canadian group of young people and two German volunteers, Dieter and Detlef, participated in the building of the new school. (See pictures). The children were on holiday, but classes resumed on Monday, 11 April. Also, a baptism took place in August 2010 and was officiated by Ps Daniel Ciobanu. Throughout the period of their stay, many of the volunteers have visited the surrounding villages. It has been planned that this aspect of the spiritual nurture and contact with the immediate community become a first priority for the volunteers in the months to come.

Herewith the outcome of a meeting with the volunteers on site in Omatako:

Immediate needs:
(a) Staff 2011: The main challenge currently is the depletion in the ranks of the volunteers. There are 6 volunteers left: Cornelia Pater, her children Lidia (17) and Dani (15), Oana Cerghit, Diana Nadasan, and Robert Costache. With the exception of the Pater family, the rest could be leaving by the end of May or June.
If you (or someone you know) would like to become a volunteer for this project, please contact Ps Dan at dgserb@yahoo.com. The needs are as follows: an administrator/manager (in camp and able to liaise with officials in Windhoek); a camp chaplain (in charge of spiritual nurture, daily and Sabbath worship, evangelism in villages, counselling, and school chaplain); 3 men, and 3 ladies. Please note that the volunteer’s services will be required for not less than six (6) months (preferably a year) and that the volunteer might have to purchase a return plane ticket to Namibia.

(b) Finances: Herewith the financial situation (current and immediate future):

a. Monthly costs for the running of the Omatako camp (food, cleaning material, petrol/diesel, workers (9)): €1500.00.
b. Development of garden/farm (20 hens, 10 goats, 10 cows, 4 donkeys for ploughing): €2000.00.
c. Fencing (20 hectares): €3000.00
d. Bus and motorbikes (maintenance): €1100.00
e. Repair tractor: €500.00
f. Gatehouse roof: €3000.00
g. Cafeteria extension (veranda for more tables): €2500.00
h. School furniture (cupboards): €500.00
i. Bathrooms roof (damaged in the storm): €1500.00

The monthly costs is the amount which needs to be sent to the team for the project to be able to carry on, and the rest needs to be done during this year as funds become available.

Future Plans: For 2011 it is planned to complete the school and the other buildings that need attention (especially roofing). The building of the high school would also be something which could be done provided that the funds become available. It is also very important that, once the paper work is done, the farming project continues so that the Project becomes self‐sufficient ASAP. Currently the volunteers run a First Aid centre in the camp; the purchase and manning of a mobile clinic able to reach the most remote areas within the region is thus also being envisioned. The project can then develop naturally to incorporate a Vocation School, Missionary Training School, sports’ field, and ultimately the lodge (meant to generate income for the entire Project, together with the farm). We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who have partnered with Pilgrim Society throughout the years. Much has been achieved and many lives have been changed for the better. It is our appeal that you continue to support this endeavor so that more lives can be touched and the San community be uplifted and spiritually nurtured.

The Interim Committee
Pilgrim Relief Society (International).

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