By Surihe Gaomas
WINDHOEK
Although home and school are the best environments for a young person’s spiritual and intellectual growth, much more is needed to develop young people to think and become responsible citizens.
One such place is the newly-launched Young Achievers Youth Resource Centre in Katutura where over 60 children from all walks of life are provided with vision or sense of mission in life through positive thinking.
With the motto, “Education, Self-Reliance and Development” the concept of Young Achievers was initiated by co-founders, Pandu Hailonga and Lejeune Lockett, in September 2004.
Its primary objectives are to inspire and motivate young people between the ages of 10 to 22 years to become responsible citizens, locally, regionally and globally.
It also aims at supporting the youth in their personal growth. Young people taking part in the Young Achievers Empowerment Project are encouraged to attend school and university, involve local communities in improving the lives of other young people and create culturally enriching and intellectually stimulating after-school activities.
Officially launching the centre on Saturday, United States Ambassador to Namibia, Joyce Barr, encouraged Young Achievers to remain true to themselves at all times and to stick to what they want to achieve in life.
“Don’t listen to those who say, ‘it is too hard, stop here on the island’; or to those who tell you that your vision is not worth all of that effort. You are worth it. Your dreams are worth it. With education and hard work, dedication and a little help along the way, you will cross that river,” said Barr.
With a computer lab, a small library, a counselling room and classroom area for aid in difficult subjects like mathematics and science, Young Achievers were also encouraged to make use of the tools provided to them for their growth.
“I hope that the computers and books the American people have donated today are the kind of tools you need,” added Barr.
For most children in Katutura, places of study like a library or for quiet time can be difficult to come by.
Facilities like these become beneficial to a child’s intellectual and professional growth.
“The spirit behind Young Achievers is about global education. It’s about taking the information you have and making a difference in society and the world as a whole, through empowering others,” said Lockett.
In this way, the Young Achievers’ philosophy has what Hailonga termed a “snowball effect” where partnerships are fostered with other support groups around the world.
As a group of young Namibians dedicated to education and volunteerism, Young Achievers started off with only five learners three years ago. Today there are over 60 learners.
Through learner-centred approach, skills enhance the youth with information, social skills and empowered self-esteem in a holistic way.
Most of the young people who delivered speeches at the launch were keen to express their satisfaction with how the project has helped them develop and encouraged others to join in as well.
The most notable achievement is the Kilimanjaro Service Project, which was held on April 22, designated as Global Youth Service Day, where approximately 120 young people attended a youth empowerment workshop in the informal settlement of Kilimanjaro in Katutura.