The One Economy Foundation is hosting its 11th annual fundraising soirée on 1 October in Windhoek, Namibia. The event, themed ‘Rooted in Purpose’, aims to gather government officials, corporate entities, civil society, and international development agencies to secure support for youth initiatives. Proceeds from the event will fund youth-focused programmes across the country. The foundation is known for its community intervention programmes and social upliftment activities.
The foundation, founded in 2016 by former first lady Monica Geingos, operates as a social welfare organisation focused on young Namibians aged 13 to 35. Its programmes target young people facing structural barriers to healthcare, educational resources, skills development, and employment opportunities. The foundation has established a multi-sectoral approach to tackle interconnected socio-economic challenges.
The foundation’s core operational areas encompass sexual and reproductive health, mental health support, science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, gender-based violence prevention, and socio-economic empowerment. Through its #BeFree Cares Clinic and mobile outreach units, the foundation offers free health services, HIV testing, voluntary counselling, and health education to young people across various regions.
The #BeFree Youth Campus in Windhoek functions as a community resource hub, offering structured training, clubs, and workshops covering robotics, 3D design and printing, horticulture, performing arts, self-defence, and after-school academic support. The campus also houses the #BeFree Meals Kitchen, which provides basic food support to enable young people to attend programmes without nutritional hardship.
To address youth unemployment, the foundation runs its Youth Opportunities (YO!) programme, which equips participants with practical skills in entrepreneurship, financial management, vocational capabilities, and digital content creation to foster financial independence. BeFree Leadership Council president Godwin Januarie emphasised the importance of sustained community-level investment in Namibia’s youth.
Januarie highlighted that contributions to the foundation are not simply donations but investments in the future of Namibian youth. Every contribution, regardless of its size, helps create opportunities and gives young people a platform to grow, lead, and believe in their potential. Funds raised during the event will go directly toward maintaining and expanding the foundation’s operations in health service delivery, education, and economic skills building.
The One Economy Foundation’s efforts have positively impacted many young lives in Namibia over the past 11 years. With the continued support of stakeholders, the foundation is poised to expand its reach and create more opportunities for young people to thrive. The annual fundraising event is a testament to the foundation’s commitment to investing in Namibia’s youth and creating a brighter future for the country.
Key points
- The One Economy Foundation has established a multi-sectoral approach to tackle interconnected socio-economic challenges facing young Namibians.
- The foundation’s programmes target young people facing structural barriers to healthcare, educational resources, skills development, and employment opportunities.
- The annual fundraising event aims to secure support for youth initiatives and fund youth-focused programmes across Namibia.
