Moulding the leaders of tomorrow

Monique Adams We all know by now that the traditional way of gaining education is not the only way to build one’s future. More and more colleges and centres are opened to help young people who do not have the funds to gain education and young people who do not thrive in the mainstream education system.Youth development is a process that prepares a young individual on how to approach or overcome challenges faced during adolescence. Within youth development programmes, individuals are then prepared through activities that help them gain knowledge in a social, ethical, emotional and physical setting.But why is youth development so important?The main objective of youth development programmes is to promote positive development, even when seeking to prevent problem behaviours.It helps youth navigate adolescence in a healthy way and prepares them for their future by instilling positive development within them.The youth are the leaders of tomorrow and they have a fresh and new energy about them. This can positively influence the status of society, leadership and innovation as young people are expected to advance the current technology, education, politics as well as the peace of the country. Youth development programmes:Youth Economic Empowerment Programme – NamibiaYouth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP)Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol)Lidar FoundationA workshop programme in Maltahöhe for grade 11 and 12 pupilsNamibia Climate Change Adaptation – Youth ActionDAAP Namibia Vocational Training CentreThe Lidar Foundation recently hosted its sixth graduation. The foundation was established in 2017 and over the past four years, 300 young girls have graduated from the programme. It consists of young mothers who have been to school but fell pregnant and as a result dropped out of school because there is no one to look after their children.“For me to come to this centre has been a great opportunity as I can start my own business with the skills I have learnt. I urge young girls who feel like their worlds have come to an end to join the Lidar Foundation because it is worth it,” Jennifer Cloete, one of the 2021 graduates, said.Executive director of the Lidar Foundation, Serley Khaxas Eises, is so proud of the young ladies who completed the programme and graduated.“I am so proud of all of you, it really makes me excited to see how far you all have come. Use the skills you have learnt and create a sustainable income for yourself to provide for yourself and your family,” she saidEises also thanked the partners of the programme: Namcor, Gondwana Care Trust, Alexander Forbes and Namib Mills.Stephne Isaak, who is a former life skills teacher in the south of Namibia, recently launched a new programme in Maltahöhe for grade 11 and 12 learners.Being a teacher, she has seen first-hand how many life skills teachers struggle to cover their syllabus in the year.“My dream is to help children grow and develop through training, career guidance, motivational couples and support so that they can reach their full potential. I have an incredible passion for education and training and I have tried to find a way to combine these two concepts,” she said.The training will also be offered to teachers and seeks to restore the relationship between teachers and learners.So far, youth development programmes have definitely come a long way and have a positive impact on the youth and communities.

Moulding the leaders of tomorrow

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Republikein 2025-09-19

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Moulding the leaders of tomorrow

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