Graduates receive certificates with the help of CHANGE and FNB Namibia
On 22 November 2017 40 Students graduated in Windhoek as part of the CHANGE programme which assists in uplifting ex-offenders and other interested parties by offering training courses. Of the 40 graduates 21 were ex - offenders and 19 non-ex-offenders. Certificates were handed out for computer training as well as fashion design.
FNB Namibia Holdings Foundation Trust recently also handed over N$ 330 600 to CHANGE, an independent non-governmental organisation. These funds assist CHANGE in making a positive contribution in the lives of ex-offenders, ensuring that they become valued members of society.
At the graduation ceremony Revonia Kahivere, Corporate Social Investment Manager, First National of Namibia stated: “The education, training and skills CHANGE provides are a great opportunity for those who do not have formal qualifications, those who need to improve their work-related skills, and those who lack positive social support systems.” She added that many times life crumples us, and we make bad decisions or deal with poor circumstances. “But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special – Don’t ever forget it! I wish you every success for the future.”
Human Rights activist Phil Ya Nangolo thanked all the sponsors - the Hanns Seidel Foundation, FNB and Financial Literacy Initiative - for their contributions over the years and requested the graduates to remain disciplined as anything without discipline would possibly lead to failure.
CHANGE has trained 21 ex-offenders in 2017 in Fashion Designing and has a long-term plan to train more ex-offenders. Furthermore, the Namibian Correctional Services, specifically the Division of Community Supervision which is currently engaging CHANGE to become a possible stakeholder as an After-Care Institution for offenders released conditionally. This will entail formalising the working relationship with CHANGE to provide different skills training to offenders to facilitate their successful reintegration into the society as law abiding citizens.
1120 people have been trained since the programme was introduced in February 2004. The programme has one Diploma intake and one Certificate intake per annum depending on how many students are enrolling. Those receiving training are mostly members from the disadvantaged backgrounds such as ex-offenders and their family members as well as school drop-outs. According to UNICEF’s National Review 2015 report many children from the age of 15 years start dropping out of school as well as some grade 10 learners and some end up engaging in criminal activities in order to earn a living.
FNB Namibia Holdings Foundation Trust recently also handed over N$ 330 600 to CHANGE, an independent non-governmental organisation. These funds assist CHANGE in making a positive contribution in the lives of ex-offenders, ensuring that they become valued members of society.
At the graduation ceremony Revonia Kahivere, Corporate Social Investment Manager, First National of Namibia stated: “The education, training and skills CHANGE provides are a great opportunity for those who do not have formal qualifications, those who need to improve their work-related skills, and those who lack positive social support systems.” She added that many times life crumples us, and we make bad decisions or deal with poor circumstances. “But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special – Don’t ever forget it! I wish you every success for the future.”
Human Rights activist Phil Ya Nangolo thanked all the sponsors - the Hanns Seidel Foundation, FNB and Financial Literacy Initiative - for their contributions over the years and requested the graduates to remain disciplined as anything without discipline would possibly lead to failure.
CHANGE has trained 21 ex-offenders in 2017 in Fashion Designing and has a long-term plan to train more ex-offenders. Furthermore, the Namibian Correctional Services, specifically the Division of Community Supervision which is currently engaging CHANGE to become a possible stakeholder as an After-Care Institution for offenders released conditionally. This will entail formalising the working relationship with CHANGE to provide different skills training to offenders to facilitate their successful reintegration into the society as law abiding citizens.
1120 people have been trained since the programme was introduced in February 2004. The programme has one Diploma intake and one Certificate intake per annum depending on how many students are enrolling. Those receiving training are mostly members from the disadvantaged backgrounds such as ex-offenders and their family members as well as school drop-outs. According to UNICEF’s National Review 2015 report many children from the age of 15 years start dropping out of school as well as some grade 10 learners and some end up engaging in criminal activities in order to earn a living.
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