The #BeFree movement has opened the doors of the much-anticipated multipurpose youth centre.
The launch was attended by high-level government officials and the first ladies of Angola and Siera Leon.
The #BeFree Youth Campus, which is located in Katutura, was just an idea a few years ago.
The one-stop centre has now finally and officially opened its doors to the target group.
It will serve as a recreational centre for the youth as well as provide essential health services, psychosocial support, and a space for creativity.
The First Lady and Chairperson of the One Economy Foundation, Monica Geingos, says the launch of the centre has narrowed the foundation’s focus to the development and protection of young people.
“Invest in young people; there is an African proverb that says that it’s the young trees that make up the forest, and that is true for us. Since the beginning, young people have taken control of one economic foundation, particularly the #BeFree movement.”
What was initially started as an initiative to protect adolescent girls and young women from new HIV infections has quickly transformed into a movement that helps young people be free from whatever holds them back.
The #BeFree Ambassador, Rivaldo Kavanga, says the youth campus should act as a blueprint for all agencies that work with young people.
“Located in the heart of Katutura, a community we know faces a miasma of social ills, the campus shines as a beacon of hope for both the old and the young, as all will celebrate it. While unconventional, the strategic placement reflects the centre’s unwavering dedication to making a difference where it is needed the most.”
The first ladies of Angola and Sierra Leone both shared congratulatory messages, saying the centre serves a transformative role for the youth of Namibia.
“What my sister is doing here is transforming the lives of young people; you are actually making young people understand the meaning of being valued in their society, said the First Lady of Sierra Leone.
The #BeFree Youth Campus consists of fully furnished health facilities, study areas, creative spaces such as a visual and audio studio, game rooms, and a soup kitchen.
The Capricorn Group donated N$1 million towards the centre.
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