Jaenique Swartz
The Your Turn Movement Foundation under the sponsorship from Letshego Bank Namibia, successfully launched its ‘Your Turn’ project and the White Nossob Runners Club in Witvlei recently.
The foundation, strictly dedicated to youth empowerment, hosted a moving event dedicated to arts and crafts as there were several engaging activities such as glass bottle artwork, canvas painting, tyre painting, and wire sculpturing for the Nossob Combined School to partake in.
Juanita Oaes, a grade 11 learner at the school reflected on how the event impacted her: “I have always been creative with my hands, but we lack exposure to creativity and opportunities due to limited resources. Taking part in the glass bottle art exposed me to a different side of me that I was not aware of, and those opportunities are everywhere. I would also like to thank the Your Turn Movement Foundation for giving me the platform to expose my skills.”
In attendance was honourable minister in Presidency Christine //Hoabes, who reiterated the importance of youth development and in shaping future leaders in all sectors. She urged the youth to come together to build the ‘Namibian House’ by fostering unity and prosperity for the community and the nation.
The foundation aims to impact and empower vulnerable communities towards socio-economic resilience and to create better, stronger, and sustainable futures. A local entrepreneur in the Witvlei community, Cherine Jantjies echoed the impact the foundation has made in their community.
“What the Witvlei youth needed for years was a platform to reveal their natural skills in arts and culture. What the Your Turn Foundation has done is to expose hidden talent that can greatly increase the self-esteem of young people from vulnerable backgrounds. The youth need direction amid a destroyed community, and Your Turn Movement has taken a lead in giving what is needed,” she said.
The foundation administrators highlighted that they could have not done it without the joint effort from key stakeholders such as the Namibia Training Authority, Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund, TK Institute Vocational Training Centre, Christian Family Centre, and the National Youth Council.
One of the speakers at the event, Walter Amuneje, encouraged learners to intentionally renew their minds and redirect their focus on not what is easy but what is important to get where they need to be and stop wasting time.
The foundation chose the Witvlei community as its initial beneficiary and will be hosting the White Nossob Trail Run and MTB challenge which is one of the key activities on their annual calendar on 25 November at Witvlei.
– jaeniqueswartz@icloud.com