By Hilja Shikongo

The Young Men’s Christian Association of Namibia (YMCA Namibia) is stepping forward as a driving force for youth empowerment, social change, and climate resilience. Since its official registration in October 2022, the organisation has become one of Namibia’s most dynamic and fast-growing youth movements, now calling for stronger partnerships to uplift young people across the country.

As part of its efforts, YMCA Namibia has reached out to the Ministry of Justice, requesting endorsement and collaboration on its Youth Justice Project a transformative initiative designed to guide young people at risk or in conflict with the law toward positive life choices.

“Our mission is to help young people find their voice, make informed decisions, and become responsible citizens,” said Kirsti Mukwiilongo, the National General Secretary of YMCA Namibia. “We are not just talking about youth empowerment; we are building a generation of changemakers.”

The Youth Justice Project is rooted in YMCA’s global philosophy known as Subject to Citizen (S2C) a framework that empowers youth to move from passive subjects to active, engaged citizens. The programme promotes life skills development, civic education, and transformative masculinity sessions that encourage boys and young men to play a positive role in achieving gender justice. In addition to justice and empowerment, YMCA Namibia also focuses on tackling mental health issues, supporting marginalised children and child-headed households, and addressing the growing impacts of climate change.

Through its Climate Games Project, the organisation uses gamification and community engagement to improve climate literacy and inspire local action in drought-affected areas.

In recent years, young Namibian volunteers from YMCA Namibia were sponsored by the Africa Alliance of YMCAs (AAYMCA) headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya  to attend Master Class training in research, innovation, design thinking, and climate resilience.
These opportunities have helped youth participants gain practical skills that can translate into sustainable employment and community impact.

YMCA Namibia has also been endorsed as a partner by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, further strengthening its role in promoting holistic youth development through education, sport, and social innovation. The organisation now seeks to deepen its collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, requesting an official endorsement and proposing a courtesy visit from the Africa Alliance of YMCA headquarters between 19 and 21 August 2025.

“The Youth Justice initiative aligns perfectly with Namibia’s Vision 2030 and NDP6 goals,” said Mukwiilongo. “We believe that by working together, we can give young people a second chance and help them build stronger, safer communities.”
YMCA Namibia continues to invite youth, institutions, and stakeholders to join hands in creating a just and resilient Namibia one young person at a time.