In Namibia, traces of German history can be found almost everywhere—place names, street names, and personal names that point to German ancestry. Reservations related to the colonial past and the atrocities committed by German troops in the early 20th century are rarely encountered today. People are far more preoccupied with the realities of social inequality.

Positive German legacies include not only Black Forest cake in Swakopmund, but also, in a broader sense, the dual vocational training system - combining classroom education with practical training under one roof - such as at the National Institute for Mining and Technology (NIMT).

mates4health believes that education is the only sustainable path out of poverty. This is especially true for so-called “dropouts” - people who have, quite literally, fallen out of society. In Keetmanshoop, more than 50 individuals live on the local landfill. Without access to water or electricity, they try to survive by selling whatever reusable materials they can find. Among them are young people with no school diploma or vocational training, as well as young single mothers who had to leave school due to pregnancy.