Monika Amunyela

Young people in Outapi are turning trash into opportunity, through the Dishena Youth Cleaning Project, led by unemployed youth, the project was founded by Dishena Katyavivi, who saw the growing problem of youth unemployment and decided to act on it.

The initiative provides practical work experience while addressing an urgent community need. It is not only keeping streets and households clean but also creating pathways for young people to gain skills, earn income and contribute to their community. “I wanted to help unemployed youth meet the government halfway,” Katyavivi said.

The team goes door to door, engaging households and small business owners on a daily basis. “We have a group that provides cleaning services if we get a customer, while others continue to look for more opportunities.” This proactive approach ensures the campaign reaches as many people as possible while raising awareness about proper waste management and creating income.

Training is very essential for the project’s success, as the founder makes sure all participants learn essential cleaning skills, safety procedures, and how to interact with people from different backgrounds. “We focus on safety first, like wearing gloves, masks, boots, and helmets,” Katyavivi said, adding that trainees also learn how to handle basic cleaning tools and move items gently. The training is conducted once a month in different towns, with assistants running cleaning operations while new trainees learn.

The project is sustained through a mix of trainee registration fees, affordable cleaning supplies from local manufacturers, and sponsorships from community businesses like Keelu Guest House who recently donated ten reflectors to support the team’s work.

Katyavivi hopes to expand the project to other towns across the Omusati region, providing more youth with opportunities and helping more communities maintain clean safe environments.

-mamunyela@nepc.com.na