One Economy Foundation: Giving youth room to thrive

With a vision to transform the lives of youth so they can thrive as healthy, productive members of society, the One Economy Foundation (ONE) is creating opportunities for young Namibians to access healthcare, education, skills and support.Launched in May 2016 and founded by Monica Geingos, Namibia’s third First Lady, ONE is a social welfare organisation focused on young people aged 13 to 35, particularly those who may face barriers to healthcare, education, information, skills and economic opportunities.“Our goal is to create an enabling ecosystem where young people can access the support they need and become catalysts of change,” says Pauline Thomas Kahupi, executive director of ONE.The foundation provides sexual and reproductive health services, mental health support, STEM education, sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response, as well as socio-economic empowerment. Its approach recognises that young people often face several challenges at once and therefore require more than one form of support.ONE’s programmes include the #BeFree Cares Clinic, #BreakFree Wellness, the #BeFree Youth Campus and the iBreakFree Project. The iBreakFree Project operates in the northern regions of Namibia, specifically Omusati and Ohangwena, focusing on efforts to address violence and promote awareness among young people.In 2025, the foundation recorded 53 792 programme service contacts, including 24 512 young people accessing the #BeFree Cares Clinic and 6 337 participating at the #BeFree Youth Campus.“At the youth campus, we want young people to be exposed to different skills, people and possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings,” Kahupi says.The #BeFree Youth Campus offers 21 programmes, clubs and workshops, including robotics, 3D design and printing, horticulture, arts, self-defence and after-school tutoring. Through Youth Opportunities, young people also receive entrepreneurship, financial literacy, skills-development and content-creation training. In 2025, the initiative reached 664 young entrepreneurs.“For us, it is not just about teaching a skill. It is about helping a young person understand the choices they can make with the awareness and what they can do with the skills imparted,” Kahupi explains.Preparing for tomorrowThe impact of this work can be experienced through different lenses, such as that of a young high school learner who discovered the youth campus after approaching a staff member wearing a #BeFree T-shirt. Initially looking for a quiet place to study, he became a member and eventually joined the #BeFree Leadership Council. Today, he is pursuing undergraduate studies and has shared that his mental health has improved.“That is what the ecosystem is about. It is not just providing a young person with a service; it is creating a safe, non-judgemental space for young people where they can find support, develop confidence and take responsibility,” Kahupi says.ONE also focuses on helping young people explore education and career opportunities. Its Future Ready programme reached 5 303 learners from 36 schools in 2025, bringing them together with 33 exhibitors, while the #BeFree Movement reached 12 181 people through dialogues, school outreaches, career activities and youth clubs.Looking ahead, ONE aims to see young people become leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, advocates and creators of opportunities for others.When asked to give young people one piece of advice on taking a leadership role in community development or social impact work, Kahupi says: “You do not have to solve everything. Start with the problem you can see, listen carefully, do what you can, work with others and keep going.”For ONE, youth empowerment goes beyond providing services. It is about creating an ecosystem where young people can develop their potential, understand the choices available to them, take responsibility for their futures and ultimately create opportunities for others.

One Economy Foundation: Giving youth room to thrive

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Republikein 2026-10-02

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One Economy Foundation: Giving youth room to thrive

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