Awana Now Reaches Kids in Estonia and Namibia
Awana became an international organization in its 22nd year when, in 1972, the first club in Bolivia began. Now, 50 years later, Awana is excited to reach kids for the first time in Namibia and Estonia. With two clubs in Estonia and 49 clubs in Namibia, we welcome 121 leaders and about 2,500 children to Awana. We praise God for opening doors and look forward to how He will work in and through these clubs. Adding our new friends overseas, Awana reaches more than 4.99 million children in 133 countries.
Below are some facts about each country.
Estonia
Two clubs, 25 children in each, eight total leaders; lead missionary, Pavils Grigas
- Borders the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia. It’s land mass includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea.
- It is about twice the size of New Jersey.
- It was incorporated into the USSR in 1940 and regained its freedom in 1994, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. It has been part of the EU since 2004.
- Estonia is a parliamentary republic.
- Population is approximately 1,220,000; 16% are 0-14 years old.
- Most of the population lives in urban areas.
- A little over a quarter of the population calls themselves Christians. More than half of the population has said they aren’t affiliated with any religion. Mormons have more missionaries in Estonia than any other Christian agency.
- Estonian is the official language, yet a third of the population speaks Russian.
- Seven hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.
Namibia
49 clubs, total of 2,445 children and 113 leaders; lead missionary, Milton Gadina
- Lies in southwest Africa; named after the Namib desert, considered to be the oldest desert in the world. It was formerly called German South-West Africa and South-West Africa.
- Namibia gained independence in 1990 and has been governed by the South-West Africa People’s Organization
- It is seven times the size of Pennsylvania; a little more than half the size of Alaska.
- It is mostly desert, hot and dry.
- About half of the country’s population is unemployed. Of those who are, 31 percent work in agriculture, 14 percent work in industry, 54 persent work in services.
- Population is approximately 2,678,200 people, about 37% of which are 0-15 years old.
- Population density is low, with the largest gatherings in the north-central area along the border with Angola.
- Recognizes 13 national languages, including 10 indigenous African languages and three European ones. English is the official language (2.3 percent speak it). Almost 50 percent of the people speak Oshiwambo languages.
- A majority of the roads and airport runways are unpaved.
- More than 97 percent of the population declares they are Christian.
- Seven hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.
Many of the above facts can be found on The World Factbook. For ways to pray for the people of Estonia and Namibia, go online to Operation World and search for either country. To financially support the efforts of these new Awana clubs, you can give to the missionary of your choice.
Carla’s work at Awana has been on the communications and marketing teams. It is important to her that Awana leaders and volunteers have the information they need to best disciple the kids in their care, and that these kids grow to become disciplemakers, themselves. When Carla is not at work, she enjoys walking with friends, taking pictures of birds and sunsets, or exploring new places with her husband and daughter.
