• Careers

From orphanage to opportunity: Hileni Emvula’s mission

• 16 Hours Ago

For many young people in Namibia, the path to opportunity is often riddled with obstacles. But for Hileni Emvula, Youth Officer at the #BeFree Youth Campus under the One Economy Foundation, those obstacles have become the very foundation of her purpose: empowering the next generation to see possibilities where they once saw only limitations.



Emvula’s early years were marked by hardship. Growing up with abusive caretakers, she eventually found refuge in an orphanage, a place that, though imperfect, offered her love and stability. “It was there that I experienced what it means to have support, not perfect, but love nonetheless, the kind every child deserves,” she reflected. That experience shaped her unwavering passion for youth empowerment. When she joined the One Economy Foundation in 2020, she immediately connected with its mission. She dedicated herself to serving young people who, like her younger self, needed both guidance and hope.



Her role at the #BeFree Youth Campus is dynamic and purpose-driven. Each day is thoughtfully navigated, from coordinating structured programmes such as robotics, tutoring, football, and chess, to mentoring volunteers, engaging with partners, and compiling reports that reflect real impact. Yet, amid the busy pace, Emvula finds her greatest reward in simple but profound moments: sitting with a learner struggling on a school project, listening without judgement, and helping them discover their own resilience.



What sets Emvula apart is how deeply her lived experiences shape her approach. “Because of my past, I can sit with a young person and genuinely say, ‘I get it,’” she said. Instead of lecturing, she chooses to walk alongside them, showing that resilience is forged in storms, not in sunshine. This authenticity resonates with the youth she serves, breaking down barriers and fostering trust.



Of the 18 programmes she coordinates, Emvula is particularly passionate about the educational ones, such as robotics, computer literacy, and after-school tutoring. Even though convincing a teenager to choose tutoring over a dance competition can feel, as she jokes, “like selling apples and bananas at a braai.” Yet, when youth commit, the transformation is remarkable. One young man who once resisted these sessions not only caught up academically but now mentors others himself, a true symbol of resistance turned into responsibility.



For Emvula, success is measured not in numbers but in moments: a learner proudly sharing they passed their grade, parents noticing a positive change, or teachers acknowledging the difference. These stories, she says, are living proof that empowerment works.



Looking ahead, Emvula envisions the #BeFree Youth Campus becoming the beating heart of youth empowerment in Namibia, a model replicated across regions, ensuring no young person is left behind. “Ultimately,” she says, “the dream is that when you ask any Namibian youth where they first believed in themselves, they’ll say, ‘At #BeFree Youth Campus.’”



Through empathy, resilience, and unwavering commitment, Emvula is not just changing lives. She is building a generation of leaders ready to shape Namibia’s future.