Lending a helping hand

Evany van WykThe SOS Children’s Villages and the Ritscher Foundation Germany are opening their hearts and reaching into their pockets to assist youth to ensure their progress and development as productive citizens of the country.The SOS Children’s Villages is an organisation founded in 1949 after the Second World War by Hermann Gmeiner, in order to provide a caring home for victims of war. Through tremendous support from the international community, the organisation has grown and now operates in over 135 countries worldwide.The Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) was launched on 31 May at the Safari Court Hotel in Windhoek. SOS Children’s Villages director Leonard Diergaardt was the keynote speaker, along with the organisation’s national youth development coordinator, Today Amoomo.“It is important to remember that it does not take an organisation to make a difference, it takes a village,” said Diergaardt. He said the organisation wants to positively contribute to the country’s economy. They plan to do this through targeting Namibia’s unemployed youth. This innovative approach will enable 300 youth to develop their talents and their own life perspectives, and successfully enter the labour market. The initiative aims to provide people from poor backgrounds with access to the corporate world. It will invite corporate companies in Namibia to provide more internship opportunities to the youth and the YEP will pay their salaries. “We just want these youth gain experience and to have an opportunity to also be successful,” Diergaardt said. He admitted this will not solve the youth unemployment problem, but the initiative hopes to make difference. He urged members of the corporate world to get involved and hire these interns.Most of the targeted youth have been through some kind trauma, thus the SOS Children’s Villages partnering with the child and gender ministry. They want to make sure that the youth are properly taken care of, be it mentally or financially. Youth were also encouraged to make the best of the opportunity. “Your success depends on you; take the initiative and show the company what you’re made of,” said Amoomo. One of the youth, Constancia Rooinasie, delivered the vote of thanks. “As a child, who has been a part of SOS Children’s Villages for more than 10 years, the YEP programme means a lot,” said Rooinasie. She is currently a second-year education student. According to her it is a great motivation knowing that such support and opportunities await them. There was also a handover of certificates of appreciation to members who have been actively involved in making the programme a success. Teopulina Kaukemwa, an employee of SOS Children’s Villages, told The Zone the launch meeting was very productive and that the initiative will help children to have a better future. “It really does take a community to raise a child,” she added.

Lending a helping hand

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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Lending a helping hand

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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