Youth empowerment is critical to the prosperity of a society and a country as a whole because it instills in our youth a sense of responsibility and leadership abilities, allowing them to detect and understand the real-world challenges that many people face. When young people are empowered, they feel more self-assured and capable. They become active participants and collaborators, eager to learn more about their impact on the world. Every year, the caring mentors and life-enhancing programs of Boys & Girls Clubs impact millions of young people. So, how empowered are the youth in the Ohangwena region?
Ohangwena is one of Namibia’s 14 administrative regions, with Eenhana as its capital. Ohangwena Region has a total area of 10,762 km2. The Region is divided into 12 constituencies, each with a distinct offering. The Region has a young population of 77,382 people, with a total of 37,652 kids who are able to work but are unable to do so due to a lack of opportunities. The region’s young unemployment rate is 51.3 percent, making it the third-highest in the country. Despite the Ohangwena region being in the top three in grade 10 performance, I believe we should acknowledge that the Ohangwena region is still impoverished, with a high percentage of school dropouts and teenage pregnancies.
In order for our society to thrive, we need more youth activities in the Ohangwena region. I was born and reared in the Ohangwena region, and I should be glad for the opportunity to travel to Windhoek, where I was able to explore and take advantage of opportunities that I would not have had in my community. I’m sure there are other young people in Ohangwena who haven’t had the opportunity to travel to the city, and it’s our obligation to provide such possibilities to them. We have young people who have dropped out of school and are wandering around communities, becoming Tombo drunkards because they have no other viable options. In the Ohangwena region, there are extremely few youth groups and after-school programs. Aside
We have the Eenhana Vocational Training Centre, which trains young people with skills but no qualifications or work experience. We have a lot of carpenters on staff, as well as self-taught electricians and welders. Because they will have documentation proving that they can complete the job, these vocational training centers give them an advantage and allow them to expand their operations. We have young talents in Okongo’s fields, such as soccer players, athletes, and vocalists, who simply need a single chance to succeed. It’s past time for us to start prioritizing all skills as equally vital. You should be on the lookout for constructive possibilities to improve your talents and boost your self-esteem as a young person. Attend school and community club programs, and if your community has any NGOs, volunteer for them. Just do something worthwhile. In Ohangwena, there may not be many opportunities, but we must create them for ourselves and others.