Windhoek
Many learners appreciate the services on offer at the Katutura Youth Enterprise Centre (KAYEC) and liken it to their second home.
A 15-year-old Grade 9 learner at Otjiwarongo Secondary School, Julia Songweuu, says since enrolling at KAYEC in 2011 the centre has become a second home to her: “It’s a wonderful place that helps us in so many ways, most especially in our education and in raising our self-confidence. I learned a lot of things at KAYEC, such as how to work together in teams, being helpful to fellow children in need and how to be a good leader and talk in front of people. I got the chance to travel to places like Rundu, Windhoek, Ongwediva and there I met other participants from those towns and made new friends,” Songweuu says.
Samira Uiras in Grade 11 at Paresis Secondary School is also part of the KAYEC programme. She came second in her class in Grade 10 last year. “My life changed after I enrolled at KAYEC. I’m more confident now and I believe in myself. They actually help me do my homework,” says Uiras.
To ensure that 150 Otjiwarongo learners continue with their studies B2Gold Namibia has donated N$500 000 to KAYEC. The funds will help to maintain after-school services that help Otjiwarongo youths from challenging backgrounds stay in school and succeed in life.
“The programme is for learners, aged 12 to 18, to receive educational and personal support from their local KAYEC centre,” says Nathan Wilkinson, KAYEC’s communication officer. He adds that since 2004, eight hours of mentorship each week have allowed learners at KAYEC’s youth centres to do better in the Grade 10 final examination. They achieved a 67 percent average pass rate from 2012 to 2014.