Kalkrand: The Kalkrand Village Council, in partnership with local businesswoman Corne Smith and the local youth group 'Never Give Up', organized a tree-planting ceremony at the Kalkrand village cemetery. This initiative marks the commencement of efforts to enhance the cemetery's condition.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Johannes Herero explained that the project started last week. The initiative aims to improve the condition of the cemetery and involves local businesspeople in development endeavors. Corne Smith, a local businesswoman, contributed to the project by donating 80 seedlings for the effort.

Smith, who has been a resident of Kalkrand for 13 years and works in the tourism sector, shared her motivations for participating in the project. She expressed a desire to make the village more appealing, especially to tourists. Smith noted that many people pass through Kalkrand without noticing the village, except for news about flooding. She emphasized the importance of supporting the Never Give Up youth group, which consists of unemployed individuals, in their mission to clean up the community.

Smith's donation included two types of seedlings: flamboyant trees and rain trees. She highlighted the lack of shade at the cemetery, which forces visitors to stand under the sun, and mentioned plans to add benches to create a peaceful environment.

The Namibia Press Agency also spoke to Imelda Aochamus, a member of the Never Give Up youth group, about their voluntary efforts to clean the graveyard. Aochamus explained that the group, comprising 19 unemployed youth, has been working to remove waste and gather rocks since August, with the goal of maintaining a clean community.