The Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) has reduced its social outreach projects due to USAID funding cuts implemented by the US government earlier this year.

OYO, a non-governmental organisation, focuses on youth education and development through art and works with subcontracted institutions that are USAID-funded. 

When the funding was abruptly suspended, the impact was felt immediately. 

"When the funding from those partners was suspended, it obviously affected us because we are sub-recipients and rely on that money. So it did affect us. And unfortunately, this year, we could only do fewer projects than we normally do. And we could reach many fewer regions than we normally do," said OYO Director Philippe Talavera.

The organisation, which relies on donor funding, had to find ways to stay afloat and continue advocating for social change. 

Of late, the French Consulate in South Africa and the Franco-Namibia Cultural Centre supported a production that will be showcased at the National Theatre of Namibia.

The play Little Prince in Namibia, which encompasses drama, dancing, and music, is derived from a famous French book called Le Petit Prince, translated as Little Prince. 

"So it's important to develop the creative sector. But you can only develop the creative sector if people sort of know what it means. For a lot of people, art is a hobby. It's not a job. So we have to start educating people that the creative sector can actually be a job. But as with any job, be it being a doctor, being an engineer, or being a lawyer, it requires training, it requires experience, and it requires exposure. So I think it's important that we encourage young people to explore those opportunities."

The play will be showcased at NTN on the 14th and 15th of this month, and tickets are available at Web Tickets.