" A friend invited me to Kenya to see the animals in January 2002 and I accepted. While in Africa I also went to Namibia to find the graves of my great uncle and aunt, Gottlieb and Minette Vogt VIEHE in Okahandja. Gottlieb was born in Germany, grew up in America but went back to Germany for religious training and spent the rest of his life in Namibia. I stayed at the Hannekom Bed and Breakfast and met the family. Annette was interested in this family and found the cemetery and graves for me. Then she drove me to towns where Gottlieb had done mission work as well as to Windhoek to the National Archive. We found much information and legal papers as well as pictures. Then Annette translated some of the papers and book pages for me. I was thrilled. My great uncle had learned the Herero language and spent much time with them. He started schools for the Herero as well as the missionaries along with writing many books and starting churches. It was a wonderful trip I will never forget and I cannot thank Annette and her family enough. "

Mary Ann Schmidt from Delavan, Wisconsin, USA
May 2005

...from the Echo Group...
" During the four years we have worked in Central Namibia, we have always stayed at the Sylvanette Guesthouse. Why? Well, the reasons are countless, but let me list a few. First, it provides outstanding quality - food, comfort, cleanliness - for a very reasonable price. Second, the entire staff treat you like family and you soon believe you are. Third, Mrs. Hanekom can either answer every question you ask or will find the answer for you within minutes. Four, the premises are safe and secure, something becoming more and more important in all of Africa. Echo Group personnel have lived and worked in dozens of countries around the world. We all feel that if we can't be in our own homes with our own families, then we'd rather be at the Sylvanette. It is truly our home away from home. "
' Read more about the Echo Group their commitment'
Bob Tolar
June 2005

Links to preferred sites
www.fidea.org - Idea Foundation