Youth project off the ground

THE International Community of Women living with HIV-AIDS Namibia (ICW), together with CRIAA SA-DC, yesterday launched a youth empowerment programme.

Namibia has been chosen as the county to pilot the project in southern Africa. The programme aims to address the socio-economic vulnerabilities of HIV-positive and marginalised youth, and is funded by the Ford Foundation. The pilot programme will take place in Windhoek and 125 young people are targeted for this year and next year.If the programme is successful and funding is granted, it will be expanded into other regions of Namibia. The project will look at youth economic empowerment which can be seen as a tool in the fight against unemployment and HIV-AIDS on three levels. Orphans and vulnerable children who were deprived of chances in life because of HIV-AIDS will be given opportunities to change their situation and gain the self-esteem, motivation and discipline to avoid risky lifestyles.ICW was inaugurated in Namibia in 2005.