About 16 young women from the Kavango East Region completed their training in tailoring through the Dreams program.

The graduates also received toolkits comprising of sewing machines, materials, and ironing boards to start their own businesses.

The program which was introduced in the region in 2021, is funded by the U.S President's Emergency Plan for Aids to support adolescent girls and young women between the ages of 10 and 24 as well as their parents and partners to prevent new HIV infections. 

This is done through education in reproductive health, prevention of gender-based violence, and entrepreneurship support.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Kavango East Region Governor Bonifatius Wakudumo implored the graduates to use skills gained to uplift themselves and the community.

"The Fashion Industry is one of the essential sectors that play a vital role in the economy of Namibia. The skills you have acquired will enable you to contribute to the growth of this sector and positively impact your community while generating income at the same time that will facilitate your independence and support your family as well as the community at large."

Wakudumo appealed to private businesses and training institutions in the region to support developmental projects.

Achieve Project Director Taurai Ngwande, pointed out that PEPFAR and the USAID have been complementing government efforts to ensure that by 2030, Namibia will no longer have new HIV infections.

"There is also a lot of unplanned pregnancies that are happening in the same age groups and for us here who are in Kavango East and West you know that there are high teenage pregnancies in our regions and we need to do something to make sure that we stop these unwanted pregnancies that are happening within our  young girls who still want to go to school, who still want to plan and prepare for their future."

Since its inception, the program trained 134 young women in the Kavango East Region in various trades such as hairdressing, hospitality, agriculture, tailoring, and others.