40 young mothers from Windhoek's Katutura residential area are looking ahead to starting their own small businesses after graduating from a skills development and empowerment programme.

The grassroots development programme is supported by the Japanese government, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Khomas Regional Council.

The programme is managed by the Lidar Community Foundation.

The project is also replicated in the Kunene, Ohangwena, Zambezi, and Kavango West and East regions, and one of its objectives is to improve livelihoods through skill development with the aim of creating a positive impact on the lives of young people.

Apart from receiving the customary certificate, the graduates also walked away with a starter kit, including cooking items and stoves. These kits, combined with the knowledge and skills they were armed with during the training programme, will help them establish small businesses.

The project is in its second round and is funded to the tune of N$13 million after its first round received some N$8.6 million from the Japanese government.

The 40 young mothers from diverse backgrounds are described as exceptional, having successfully completed a transformative 3-week empowerment and livelihood programme. The initiative is to impart comprehensive knowledge, skills, and attitudes encompassing entrepreneurship, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response.

|Khomas Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua expressed gratitude and appreciation towards the active, committed partners in the community empowerment initiative, saying these targeted young mothers represent the future of Namibia and are also society's main agents of change and progress.

Regain Trust also joined hands with the LIDAR Community Foundation to manage the programme.