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HIPO
The member organization for the Himba, Zemba, Tjimba and Twa peoples
HIPO is a Namibian member organization aimed at improving the life quality and cultural unity of the indigenous peoples in the north-west of Namibia and in the south-west of Angola. HIPO is an officially approved Namibian NGO, operating according to the regulations set by the government.
The HIPO board consists of seven members and two substitutes, all originating from the member communities. The Board is elected at Annual Meetings and directs the administration working out from the office in Opuwo. At the 2009 and 2010 Annual Meetings more than 200 delegates attended, representing communities with more than 5000 adult persons. HIPO has now more than 1500 paying members.
At local level 85 HIPO Community Based Committees are established, representing the link between the Board and the communities. Ten part time volunteering Field Officers hailed from the member peoples play an important role in the interaction with the committees.
Also persons from other peoples have become members, especially many of the Herero living in northern Kunene.
HIPO objectives:
- Empower and unite the member peoples as to meet modern world challenges
- Give voice to their concerns and opinions to government and other entities
- Support locally initiated social projects (water, agriculture. roads, health, etc.)
- Lobby government for enhanced and coherent efforts regarding providing public services; water, health, electricity, education, sanitation, roads
- Heighten awareness of gender, climate change, education, health and environmental issues
- Facilitate learners’ education progress
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From the HIPO Annual Meeting at Etoto:
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