For years, young people in Okambebe village, in the heart of the Ohangwena region, watched life stand still. Jobs were scarce, youth unemployment was high, and many were forced to sit at home with nothing to do. Promises came and went, but change did not.
A government-funded chicken project, revived and led through the office of Ongenga constituency councillor Josef Nenghwanya, is bringing renewed hope to Okambebe and surrounding villages, with a strong focus on youth employment, food security and rural development.
“This is a government project, and it is being led through my office,” Nenghwanya said. “We revived it because our people have waited long enough. Government resources must work for the community.”
The Okambebe Chicken Project will be implemented in Okambebe village and is funded by the Government of Namibia through the Ongenga Constituency Development Fund, following approval by the Ongenga Constituency Development Committee (CDC). Once the project starts, community members will receive chickens and eggs for free, which they will raise themselves and do business. The initiative aims to create employment, support small businesses through selling eggs and chickens, and improve access to nutritious food in rural households. “We could not allow this project to remain stalled while young people are unemployed,” Nenghwanya said. “This is about restoring hope and dignity.” For community members like Laimi Hamutenya, the revival has been a long time coming.
“We have been patiently waiting,” Hamutenya said. “Many of us are unemployed and tired of sitting at home. When we heard the project is coming back, we felt excited. At least now there is hope.”
She said young people in the village do not want handouts, but real work. “We want to work and earn something for ourselves,” she said. Another resident, Veronica Ndeiweva, said the news brought new energy to the community.
“This project means a lot to us,” Ndeiweva said. “It is not easy to stay unemployed for so long. Some days you wake up without knowing how you will survive.” She said the revival shows that the community has not been forgotten. “Now we feel seen. “We believe things will change, especially for the youth.” To ensure sustainability, the councillor’s office has partnered with the Ongwediva Rural Development Centre (RDCC) to provide training and skills development for the youth involved.
“We are not just starting a project,” Nenghwanya said. “We are building skills so that this initiative can stand on its own.” Day-to-day operations will be managed by a youth committee chaired by Nason Hamulemo, the current chairperson of the Ongenga Constituency Youth Forum. The councillor’s office will continue to provide oversight, while women and traditional leaders form part of the management structure. The project is expected to be fully operational within the next three months. Plans are also underway to rehabilitate a nearby broken borehole and establish a garden at the same site.
“When water comes back, development follows,” Nenghwanya said. “Okambebe will grow from this.”
