By Lylie Happiness
Windhoek, 13th July. Over the weekend, young girls and women from the San community celebrated their graduation from the Digital and Dignity courses in Okongo, located in the Ohangwena Region.
These graduates, hailing from the Kavango regions, as well as Otjozondjupa, were the first beneficiaries of the pilot project initiated by Ongula Homestead Skills and Technical Academy, based in Okongo.
The Digital and Dignity project, introduced by Ongula Homestead Skills and Technical Academy, aims to empower adolescent girls and young mothers in rural areas and townships by providing them with essential digital, tourism, life, and sewing skills. The focus is primarily on manufacturing washable sanitary pads and school uniforms.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, Emma Theofilus, praised the leadership of Ongula Homestead Skills and Technical Academy for their transformative initiative, which seeks to improve the livelihoods of rural communities, particularly the San and marginalized individuals.
“This training is crucial in restoring dignity and providing opportunities for these girls who may have had limited options,” Deputy Minister Theofilus stated.
Hilya Nghiwete, the co-founder of Ongula Homestead Skills and Technical Academy, explained that the academy specifically targets adolescent boys and girls who have dropped out of school due to social challenges. By providing technical education, the academy aims to uplift and engage these individuals, diverting them from potentially harmful activities.
The training program was made possible through full funding from Debmarine Namibia as part of their commitment to social responsibility.- Namibia Daily News
