This organisation was set up to fund and support activities for the benefit of the inhabitants of the region of Tsumeb (Namibia) and to coordinate people in Chesterfield and their charitable activities for promoting the twinning link between Chesterfield and Tsuemb. The charity is based in Chesterfield (S41 7LL) and there is a related association.
Projects include:
- Respect Early Learning Centre, a kindergarten in Kavukiland informal settlement
- IT support to Tsumeb Teachers’ Resource Centre (TRC) and to schools, using Raspberry Pi and other affordable and accessible IT tools
- Support for bee-keeping and other projects.
Respect Early Learning Centre
Derek and Saima Sherratt helped build and set up the kindergarten in Kavukiland as there was no provision for young children. Tsumeb already had considerable poverty and unemployment, this has got much worse since the new owners closed the main employer in the town, Tsumeb copper smelter, in June 2025, after acquiring it in 2024. In May 2024 there were allegations of systemic overexposure to arsenic and that up to 48 workers were hospitalised in one year under the previous owners. With very few formal jobs left in 2026, many local businesses are closing and there is little money to go around. Kavukiland was started in 2009 as an informal settlement of shack housing by people who could not afford housing in Tsumeb and has grown to some 3,500 shacks or 9,500-10,000 people.
The Respect kindergarten has over 100 children and is led by a dedicated local team and funded mostly by parents’ contributions. Derek continues to provide management support and other assistance. It also provides cooked breakfasts for the children with maize donated by the Ministry of Gender.
IT support to education
Darren has been installing Raspberry Pi computers and networking equipment in several schools, working closely with the Oshikoto Region department of education and with the Tsumeb Teachers’ Resource Centre. This has included cabling, network management software, supply of PCs and other support.
Contact details:
- Trustees Chairperson: Darren Siseman.
- Tel: +44 (0)845 5917540
- Email: dazbo007@yahoo.com
Charity number 1063932