Fifty-five adolescent girls and young women from six regions were in Oshakati to receive much-needed materials and equipment for them to start businesses or other income generating activities.
The beneficiaries are part of over 2,500 young people who took part in the Government to Government (G2G) programme run by the American Government and the Namibian Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service.
The hand-over event was attended by the Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service Ms Agnes Tjongarero and Dr. McDonald Homer, USAID Country Representative.
In his speech Dr. Homer said that the programme which was signed in 2021 is a significant partnership between the two governments and is meant to provide comprehensive care to young women in Namibia.
“Women are essential to the development of the country. And especially young women are the future of the society,” Dr. Homer said. “Thus the 55 young women receiving the start-up toolkits are equipped with relevant tools to become financially independent, and break the generational poverty.
“These young women were equipped with relevant skills and knowledge that make them reduce their vulnerability to HIV infection and also to increase their economic productivity in society.
“This is one of the remarkable programmes carried out through the G2G because it is going to change the destinies of these young people for generations to come.”
Homer added that the G2G programme will be rolled out to the rest of the regions. So far it has only been running in Oshana, Kavango East, Kavango West, Zambezi, Oshikoto and Khomas regions.
The beneficiaries have received materials and equipment to start businesses such as restaurant, kindergarten, hair salon, poultry, horticulture, tuckshop, etc.
In the photo: Dr. McDonald Homer, Hon. Agnes Tjongarero, and Governor Elia Irimari with some of the beneficiaries.
