Charmaine Boois
Five young people from the Aimablaagte informal settlement in Mariental, Hardap region, founded a non-profit community drama club. This is to encourage young people in their community to participate in or volunteer for performance art projects.
They did this in the hope that many people from their area would experience personal satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. Puis Domingos, 20, is the creator of this project. He developed the idea in 2019 while still in high school because no one had ever thought of or carried out such a concept as people from Mariental do not believe in art entertainment and how beneficial it can be, especially in communities.
“I started this drama club idea back in high school due to a lack of opportunities in my enviroment. I had no money to travel to the city for my own personal aspirations, so I decided to make something positive in my community that will benefit me in the long run,” he noted.
Domingos solicited the aid of friends who shared his goal, including Salvador Egidius (25), Brandon Bango (22), Lucia Booi (21), and his younger brother, Jerome Domingos (14). They all collaborated, and on 8 February 2023, brought this vision to life.
Young or old, everyone is welcome to join the drama group. When children arrived in groups on the first day and asked if they may engage in theatre performances, Domingos claimed that tears welled up in his eyes, and he made the decision to make room for them. He could see the parents are enthusiastic as well because they are putting together a performance based on a Bible story.
Paul Nghiwilepo, CEO of the Mariental Municipality, approved their request to use the community hall for their activities.
Interested individuals can come during the day to practice writing their own stage play, actors can come to audition for plays, young boys can gather to practise dancing, girls can come in groups to organise a singing competition, and so on.
They are being guided by the club’s management staff.
Club administrator Lucia Boois claims that through participating in such community projects, youngsters can meet other like-minded peers and positive adult role models, besides their parents. Children will be inspired to view the world in new ways by interacting and working with classmates and other adults in the community. Additionally, it enlightens individuals on how to put their principles or ideas into practice for the benefit of others.
“Leaders in my town have never considered such an idea, and how it would help individuals who are presently jobless and depressed. That’s why we chose to help ourselves and our neighbours, perhaps our drama club will make a difference,” added Egidius.
The club is now active with a community theatre production and a children’s play which will take place at the end of the month. They are also working closely with school teachers to create a community spelling bee competition, where parents and teachers can
participate along with the children.
A community hall with hope, passion and ambitions were all they needed to start this project, Domingos added.
They are in contact with businesses to provide them with wifi, printers and other project-related necessities, but any other donations will be greatly appreciated, he stated.