• Youth

Creating a safe space to learn

Monique Adams – Keetmanshoop

The six-day workshop consisted of four sessions which consisted of the following topics that were discussed:

1. Who am I? And what is entrepreneurship?

2. Creativity and the generation of ideas.

3. Business model canvas.

4. The triangle of success of the entrepreneur.

5. Communication and marketing.

It has been the second year of ADEA and 14 learners joined this year. Capturing the attention of many young people in the //Karas region to participate. Once the training is completed, learners will receive a certificate of attendance.

“The young people want to become entrepreneurs and this workshop is a great first step into making those dreams a reality. We just finished the first session and it was a very enlightening and interesting session, we are here as a group to bond and get to know each other. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the week,” said Rodger Gertze, vicechairperson of the //Karas rural youth forum.

Apart from learning all things entrepreneurship the centre also provides young creatives within the community to showcase their ART through dancing, drawings or acting.

“I am part of the KATA dance group here at the youth centre. We support each other by talking about matters that affect us in our community like gang violence, rape, alcohol and drug abuse. We practise every morning and perform at shows, it’s like my second home and I enjoy it here,” said Vicky Mbengu, a dancer from the KATA group.

Programmes like these are very important for the community so young people can be equipped to become better citizens and do better within their community.

The youth centre aims to start these programmes throughout the //Karas region. Their first trip for the year will be in Oranjemund this year.

“The young people here in the south suffer from mental health because there is not much they can do here. Everywhere you go you only find bottle stores and clubs, these are the only places the youth hang out and abuse substances,” said Ivan ‘Fly’ Mueze, volunteer and founder of //Karas Arts and Dance Academy.

Mueze calls upon any sponsors or anyone that is willing to help them give the youth quality services and ensure to help with best care and advice.

With the year looking promising the Keetmanshoop Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centre hopes to reach more young people in the rest of the //Karas region and is excited for the rest of the year.