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Rob Youth Foundation bringing hope to local youth
Addressing social and economic challenges faced by the youth and communities in the country, the Rob Youth Foundation, a non-profit organisation, aims to inspire and support young Namibians to become innovative thinkers, entrepreneurs and problem solvers. The organisation operates in various sectors, including health, education, agriculture, humanitarian efforts and sports. Last year, the organisation renovated the Katutura State Hospital’s maternity ward with a donation from the German Embassy to the value of N$180,000, as well as assistance from the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT), which provided trainees for the labour duties on the project.
The foundation’s founder and managing director, Robert Maseka, said they aim to inspire the Namibian and African youth to be inventors of new ideas for economic growth and to improve their standard of living. “We want to encourage young entrepreneurs who are making a difference in our community to work harder, thus inspiring others to do the same. We want to encourage innovation among the youth entrepreneurs, stimulating them to think outside the box,” said Maseka.
HEALTH SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE
Playing their part in the maintenance of the country’s health sector infrastructure, the organisation renovated the Katutura maternity ward, and is in the process of fixing 70 broken hospital beds at the Engela State Hospital, a project which was initiated in April this year. In addition, they are also working on establishing a youth clinic in the Kavango East Region for the provision of reproductive health services in remote areas. In collaboration with Sanlam Namibia, they recently donated 70 mattresses to the Engela State Hospital’s maternity ward valued at close to N$29,000 to provide a secure and comfortable environment for mothers during the labour process. “By coming together with the Rob Youth Foundation, we demonstrate the power of unity and compassion in creating a world where care flourishes and makes it a better place for all. Pregnancy and childbirth are cherished chapters in a woman’s life, and at Sanlam, we take great pride in supporting individuals during their most delicate moments,” said Lukas Tshithigona, branch manager at Sanlam Ondangwa.
FOOD SECURITY
Last year, the Lusu Traditional Authority availed 10 hectares of land to the Rob Youth Foundation in the Zambezi Region for a youth empowerment project. “This project is going to be one of the biggest projects for the foundation. We believe that, once implemented, it will contribute to the improvement of food security in the country. Plans are underway to make sure that the project starts this year,” said Maseka. The office of the governor pledged to assist with a tractor for land servicing and ploughing by October/November this year, with additional support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform through its regional office in the Zambezi Region.
BENEFICIARY TESTIMONIALS
“The foundation is a lifesaver,” said Sister Nancy Kago from the Katutura maternity ward. She commended them for tackling extremely important and sensitive issues in the country.
The principal for job attachments at NIMT said he was “honoured to represent NIMT and serve the nation”. This follows the labour assistance in the renovation of the maternity ward and the placement of a grade 12 learner from Engela Secondary School, Thomas Shimutwikeni, who also volunteered at the foundation.
“The donation is a first of its kind since I have been at the school, where those who have a heart for giving come to us with the aim of giving us hope,” said the principal of Oshiya Combined School, Mr Gothard Lindombo, after receiving uniforms for 90 needy learners at the school.
465 learners from special schools in the Khomas Region received health packages that included toiletries, sanitary and food items. According to Emma Paulus, a teacher at the School for the Visually Impaired, it makes her “happy to see a smile on the children’s faces”. Emma said the donations make a lasting impact on each and every learner. The packages will be distributed to needy learners across all regions, with 33 schools in Eenhana receiving sanitary pads.
ADDITIONAL PROJECTS
• Rollout of sanitary pads to all the 14 regions in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture.
• Educational outreach programmes on mental health and sexual reproductive health awareness campaigns for learners, teachers and out-of-school youth.
• Annual clean-up campaigns in various towns and the City of Windhoek.
The Rob Youth Foundation was established in 2019 to exclusively address the social and economic challenges faced by the youth and communities and to establish an innovative youth workforce in the country. The foundation has offices in all the 14 regions of Namibia, led by a dynamic youth workforce that runs its projects and activities.
