Meet Ms Charlene: WIS’s New School Counsellor
We are delighted to welcome Ms Charlene Hill Uakuramenua to Windhoek International School as our new School Counsellor and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Charlene joins WIS as a registered Social Worker with more than twenty years of professional experience supporting children, adolescents and families. Her career has included work with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Project HOPE Namibia, and as a lecturer in the School of Social Work at Welwitschia University. She has also previously worked with WIS as an evaluator for the Health Professions Council of Namibia.
Her experience spans counselling, child protection, trauma-informed care, safeguarding, crisis response, programme development, referral pathways and staff training. As she begins her work at WIS, we thought we would give our community an opportunity to get to know Charlene a little better.
Welcome to WIS, Charlene! To begin, could you tell us a little about yourself and your journey into social work?
Charlene:
I was initially interested in studying child psychology, as I have always had a passion to work with children. However at the university they did not offer this course and I decided to study social work. I have not regretted that decision. After graduation I joined Campus Crusade for Christ and then officially kicked off my social work career with the Ministry of Health. At the time, the Ministry of Gender did not exist yet so I worked with both adults and children. I developed a passion for adoption and therefore moved to South Africa for 3 years where I directed a baby shelter, helping children find ‘forever’ families.
I moved back to Namibia 2010 and started Hope for Life, counseling mothers facing unplanned pregnancies whilst lecturing part time at the University of Namibia. I then joined the Ministry of Gender at the GBV Unit where I primarily focused on crisis intervention, violence prevention awareness, and teaching children protective behaviors. I also dealt with adoptions and foster care. I moved to Project HOPE Namibia, where I was the GBV and OVC technical advisor under the DREAMS and then REACH programs. My project also focused on child protection, alleviating poverty, preventing HIV, child safeguarding, violence prevention programmes, etc. When USAID funding was stopped, I moved to Welwitchia University where I was a lecturer, whilst at the same time still doing child protection cases and training caregivers at SOS.
You have worked across government, NGOs, higher education and professional regulation. What have these different experiences taught you about supporting children and young people?
Charlene:
Childhood gives us an opportunity to help children navigate through life, including the highs and lows. If we manage to make a significant impact through our support and guidance, we are setting up stronger and more resilient leaders for the next generation. We often undermine the value young people can add towards positive development and one thing I have learned is that if you want programs to be successful you should do it with the children and youth and not just for them.
What drew you to WIS and to the role of School Counsellor?
Charlene:
Working with Ms Sharon in the past as well as Nurse Susan was a positive experience for me. I have gained a wealth of knowledge on counselling families, child protection, and safeguarding. When I saw the advert I was immediately interested.
What do you think is most important for a school to do well when it comes to promoting student wellbeing?
Charlene:
Looking beyond academics and seeing children holistically and ensuring that the school caters for the ‘whole’ person. I look forward to creating a caring and nurturing environment from all areas (parents, teachers and students). It takes all of us to enhance the wellbeing of WIS learners.
What would you say to a student who is thinking about speaking to the counsellor but is unsure whether their concern is “serious enough”?
Charlene:
No concern is ‘silly’. Let’s talk about it, get it off your chest and see how we can find a solution rather than being bothered in silence.
How do you approach building trust with children and adolescents?
Charlene:
Being friendly, easily available and consistently demonstrating care. Ensuring that the students I worked with have a positive experience as they will most likely share their experience with others who might need my help.
Safeguarding is an important part of your new role. What does effective safeguarding look like in a school community?
Charlene:
Firstly I would determine that all our educators and admin staff, parents and students understand safeguarding – and what it means in a school environment. Effective safeguarding to me means that everyone, including the students, understand what ‘being safe’ means. We work together to ensure that every person experiences that safety.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin working with WIS students, families and staff?
Charlene:
I look forward to meeting everyone and the key role players I will be working with. Also learning what happens at the school and how I can make a positive contribution.
Outside of your professional life, what are some things you enjoy doing?
Charlene:
I most enjoy being with my family; doing activities together. I enjoy playing tennis. I find it fulfilling to organise and deliver camps for vulnerable children.
Tell us something about your family or the people who are important to you.
Charlene:
I am married to an amazing man, Bernadus. Together we have three beautiful children, Allyson (13) Jonathan (11) and Timothy (10). Unfortunately my children do not have grandparents anymore but one vital lesson I have learned through them is that you become family the moment you become part of our lives. My children are quite social and enjoy meeting new people (my husband says they take after me). We also enjoy just spending time together at home.
Is there a book, quotation, person or idea that has influenced the way you think about life or your work?
Charlene:
I am inspired by the Bible verse ‘Do unto others as you would have them do to you’. I strive to always treat others the way I would like to be treated.
Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to every WIS student, what would it be?
Charlene:
Be your unique self. There will never be another you so just be yourself and try your best at being the best version of yourself.
Charlene will begin at WIS on 1 October 2026, initially working part time before moving into the role full time from January 2027. During this transition period, Ms Sharon Gorelick will continue working three days per week for the remainder of the semester. Charlene will also take over responsibility as WIS's Designated Safeguarding Lead, following a thorough handover from Ms Bianca.
The transition is being carefully coordinated. We are grateful to Charlene, Sharon and Bianca for working closely together to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of care for our students and families.
We look forward to welcoming Charlene fully into the WIS community and giving students, parents and staff opportunities to get to know her over the coming months.
Students and families can contact Ms Charlene at counsellor@wis.edu.na
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