#BeFree Centre opens doors
The long-awaited #BeFree Centre of Excellence opened its doors last week, marking a significant milestone in the empowerment of Namibian youth.The inauguration of the multipurpose youth centre, located in Katutura, was attended by high-level government officials and distinguished guests, including the first ladies of Angola and Sierra Leone.
First Lady Monica Geingos, a driving force behind the initiative, said that the estimated cost of the youth campus stands at about N$45 million.
Conceptualised by the One Economy Foundation, the facility is designed to be a “one-stop shop” offering a wide range of services to the youth. It aims to be a recreational hub while also providing essential health services, psychosocial support and a space for creativity to flourish.
Geingos, who is also the chairperson of the foundation, said the inauguration reflects its renewed focus on 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 the One Economy Foundation, particularly the #BeFree movement,” she said.
What initially began as an initiative to safeguard girls and women from new HIV infections has rapidly evolved into a movement that empowers young people to break free from the constraints that hold them back.
The #BeFree Centre of Excellence will operate on a membership basis, requiring interested individuals to formally sign up for access to its resources and services. The centre boasts fully furnished healthcare facilities, study areas, creative spaces such as a visual and audio studio, game rooms, and even a soup kitchen.
A donation of N$1 million from the Capricorn Group further underscores the community's support for this vital endeavour.