Over Penduka

Penduka is a non-governmental development organisation working with women in Namibia. Penduka is based in Katutura, the former black township of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.

Penduka women make beautiful products. The type of products that you would like to put as an ornament in your house, or use on a daily basis. Products that will enrich your life. A product for you is an income for the women of Penduka. Not only that, but by buying products you also contribute towards financing Penduka's educational- and health projects. By purchasing a Penduka product, you show appreciation for the Penduka women's skills, thereby empowering them much more than just financially.

Penduka:

- provides work for about 499 women, 39 of whom are on a permanent contract and 460
work as a so-called member

- supports nearly a thousand tuberculosis patients in nineteen clinics

- was founded in 1992 and is not dependent on subsidies or donors

- organises exchange programmes between the Netherlands and other European countries

- gives out interest free loans and helps women getting loans for their studies or to buy a house

- educates women in crafts, design, health risks like tuberculosis or HIV AIDS, and in management skills. This way, women have the opportunity to develop themselves broadly in a variety of fields

- has educated women who teach English in their spare time. At the recently built Wake Up Montessori School in Windhoek, women are trained to teach children

- is about respect, self-confidence and empowerment

- believes in bottom-up development rather than top-down.