Employees from the Capricorn Group returned to the Windhoek Mental Health Centre on World Food Day, 16 October, to expand and care for the “Garden of Hope.”
The outreach was conducted through the group’s ChangeMakers employee volunteer initiative.
Originally established in 2025 in partnership with the Centre, the Garden of Hope was designed as a dedicated space to foster healing, renewal, and care for patients. Building on the foundation laid by volunteers last year, this year’s efforts focused on maintaining and enhancing the garden to ensure it continues to serve as a restorative environment.
The initiative highlights Capricorn Group’s ongoing commitment to driving positive social impact through active employee volunteerism and meaningful community partnerships.
This year, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism again partnered with Capricorn Group to donate a variety of fruit trees to the garden.
Speaking at the event, Group Chief Brand and Corporate Affairs Officer, Marlize Horn, said the project reflects Capricorn Group’s purpose of being Connectors of Positive Change.
“When we created this garden, we wanted it to be more than simply a physical space. We wanted it to represent hope, growth, care and renewal. Today, as our ChangeMakers work together to enhance the garden and build on what was started last year, we are demonstrating something that sits at the heart of our purpose at Capricorn Group, which is creating positive change that is meaningful and lasting”.
She noted that the timing of the outreach was particularly significant as it coincided with World Food Day and the month during which World Mental Health Day is observed.
She said the initiative highlighted the important connection between physical and mental wellbeing, with the Garden of Hope serving as both a source of nourishment and a space that promotes dignity, purpose and healing. By creating and maintaining environments that encourage growth and connection, organisations and communities can play a meaningful role in supporting overall wellbeing.
“Mental wellbeing is an essential part of overall wellbeing, and spaces that encourage connection, purpose, dignity and hope can play an important role in creating supportive communities.”
Welcoming the volunteers, Dr Ndjaba, Head of the Windhoek Central Hospital Mental Health Centre thanked Capricorn Group for its continued support of the Garden of Hope initiative.
“We are grateful to Capricorn for returning to support the improvement of our Garden of Hope. Mental health challenges can affect anyone, and initiatives like this garden promote wellbeing not only among our patients but also among staff by providing a calming and restorative environment. We truly appreciate this continued support and the positive difference it makes in our hospital community,” said Ndjaba.
The ChangeMakers programme provides Capricorn Group employees with opportunities to contribute their time, skills and energy to initiatives that positively impact communities across Namibia.
