The Footsteps For Africa Team
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Austin Cameron
Austin founded Footsteps for Africa in 2010 after seeing the plight of OVC (orphans and vulnerable children) while he lived in Zimbabwe and Zambia for two years, and while doing anthropological research in Namibia. Lack of educational opportunities or the resources to obtain an education was a major problem in virtually every area Austin visited, and it became his passion to assist as many OVC and surrounding communities as possible. Footsteps for Africa currently has…...more
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Tiara Salzman
Chair of Board of Directors Footsteps for Africa Foundation Tiara Salzman joined Footsteps For Africa in 2012 having spent her career in corporate wellness, corporate finance and business capital transactions. Having raised three extraordinary children of her own, Tiara is passionate about helping children achieve their greatest potential. Moved by the hands-on approach implemented by Footsteps For Africa, she had been an active donor before joining the organization. Tiara is married and based in Montecito,…...more
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Jordaania Andima
Based in Windhoek, Namibia, Jordaania Andima is the Namibia Country Director for Footsteps for Africa. She first became acquainted with Footsteps for Africa as a reporter for a local newspaper covering Footsteps for Africa’s first initiative in Namibia in 2011, and she has assisted in or directed all further initiatives. Jordaania is Acting Director in the Department of Marketing and Communications and a lecturer at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). She specializes…...more
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Irani Kombore
A friend of Austin for 20 years, Irani has directed the implementation of all Footsteps initiatives in Zimbabwe. As of 2022, these projects include the building of an early childhood development center, the installation of a water well and solar pump, and establishing a community garden. He is the proud father of two children, and runs a grain grinding business in Nyamaropa, Zimbabwe....more
About Orphans and Vulnerable Children
The population of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) has been steadily rising. Researchers have also observed a reversal in child survival trends, primarily as a result of AIDS-related adult deaths. Although HIV prevalence is declining in Zimbabwe, OVC prevalence and incidence are likely to continue increasing. In addition, a growing number of children are fostered and made vulnerable by the epidemic.
Orphans and other children affected by AIDS suffer a catalogue of deprivations and vulnerabilities, including family dissolution, depression, malnutrition, lack of access to education and health care, homelessness, stigma, discrimination, abuse, increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancies. Consequently, they generally end up not realizing their full potential. Also, reported levels of physical and sexual violence are high in Zimbabwe in general, but more so among adolescent OVC females. There is a strong need to sensitize the country and reach a large and growing population of OVC and their families in Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Many problems OVC currently face are tied to a lack of educational opportunity or other education disadvantages. One of Footsteps’ primary goals is to build schools and bunk houses which will enhance educational and nutritional programs, provided needed healthcare-related education, and to educate on the consequences of risky sexual behavior.
Our Unique Success
Footsteps for Africa has provided aid to over 15,000 OVC in over 50 schools and orphanages Namibia and Zimbabwe since 2010. We are more efficient than most other aids organizations in southern Africa because we ensure that we are physically present at every step of the humanitarian initiative, whether it be the importation and distribution of goods, the building of facilities, implementation of medical or food programs, etc. We ensure that the aid reaches those who need it most. Our partnerships with other aid organizations in Zimbabwe and Namibia, government relationships, knowledge of the culture and continual needs assessment ensure that our initiatives target the most critical needs and are deployed quickly, responsibly, and successfully.
