By Vimbainashe Clara Makanza
Imagine an organisation that creates a safe space for young women to not only dream big but actively prepares them for those big dreams? That’s the Purpose Mentorship Program Namibia, successfully making sure all the young women who pass through it are given the kind of princess treatment that every girl deserves.
Think Mia in The Princess Diaries, moving from angsty teen to a fully fledged queen.
We had the opportunity to chat with Julia Nampweya, Co-founder of the Purpose Mentorship Program, who shared insights into their journey and mission.
How did the program start?
The program began in 2015 with the goal of bringing motivational messages to young women. So all our programs at the time were focused on providing motivational information to the girls. During the COVID lockdown it became clear that more practical interventions would be needed. In response to that, we decided to develop a more well rounded intervention was needed.
We select 30 girls from 14 different schools, in grades 11-12, and our selection process is needs based and done with the support of the schools’ life skills teacher. We look at the financial, academic and health needs of the applicants. Thereafter we curate programs for the girls that we’ve selected and embark on an 8 month long program where the program provides tutoring, mentorship, intervention on home needs and assistance with pursuing tertiary education. We aim to ensure that each young woman gets the attention they need to advance and that they get the princess treatment they need.
Is there a beneficiary story that’s been especially motivational to you in your work?
There are so many stories that I have found to be inspiring, and that have helped us shape the program and there is a time we got to find out that there were young women walking a distance of 10km to attend a workshop, something which really re-affirmed the young women’s intentionality and determination to pursue their dreams when they enter programs like this. In 2020 a pair of young women entered the program, with an unwavering commitment to become women in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics). Both girls are now pursuing this in their tertiary education. We have had about 600 girls going through the program all very bravely going after their dreams.
What activities do you have planned for this year and how can people get involved?
A big plan for year is that we want to track the progress of the young women who have gone through the program. Our organisation will be turning 10, and we want to see how they’re doing. We have had diverse goals set by the young women inclusive of entrepreneurs as well.
In terms of getting involved, the donations we require are program based, last year for example, we were pleased to receive over 50 gowns from several donors for a matric farewell event we were holding for the girls, so it really depends on the specific activities going on. More urgently we would appreciate any who are willing to fully or partially sponsor women who are pursuing tertiary studies, a contribution of NAD500 would go a long way.
To get in touch with the Purpose Mentorship Program you can email them at purposeprogramme@gmail.com.
You can also find them on Instagram @purposeprogramme.
