Meetteam
Our team is force women and mothers with extensive diverse experiences that spans from community development, Filming and content creation, graphic design, private sector management and early childhood development.
Hilma Weber
Hilma (Founder) is an accomplished author of several children’s books, with thousands of copies distributed free of charge to underprivileged children across Namibia. Her passion for early childhood development and expertise in children’s literature bring a unique perspective to Play Buddies, ensuring that its offerings are both engaging and culturally relevant for children and families in Namibia and beyond.
Earlier in her career, Hilma held a senior management role in the private sector and later spearheaded the development of a successful early childhood development program for a Namibian NGO. She now leverages her organizational and management skills at Play Buddies, designing and implementing projects with lasting impact.
Clara Mupopiwa
Clara (Trustee) is a multidisciplinary designer and lecturer with a passion for creating vibrant, African-centered aesthetics. As a mother, she deeply values African heritage, culture, and storytelling, which she brings into her work. Clara’s unique afro-chic design style ensures that Playbuddies projects are infused with meaningful and high-quality visual content tailored for African children and families, bridging the gap in relatable educational materials and ensuring that African content and stories are seen, heard and celebrated.
Sophie Haikali
Sophie (Trustee) – With her extensive experience as an award-winning content producer and writer, Sophie brings creativity and innovation to PlayBuddies. Her expertise in media culture and content creation allows PlayBuddies to develop engaging and culturally relevant materials for children. Sophie’s leadership in the filming industry provides valuable insights into storytelling and visual communication, enhancing the impact of PlayBuddies’ initiatives.
Foibe Silvanus
Foibe (Trustee) – With over 15 years of experience as a Community Development Specialist, Foibe brings a wealth of expertise in social work, early childhood development, and community-led initiatives to PlayBuddies. Her academic background includes a focus on Lifelong Learning and Community Education, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the needs of marginalized communities. Foibe’s experience extends across various areas, including parent support, play therapy counseling for children, HIV support groups, and community-led total sanitation. Her ability to engage with diverse communities ensures that PlayBuddies’ programs are inclusive and meet the specific needs of underprivileged families.As a Trustee, Foibe’s passion for empowering communities and her hands-on experience make her a valuable asset to PlayBuddies’ mission of improving early childhood development in Namibia and beyond.