Opuwo yputh group presenting its dance in Khorixas

 

OYO, in partnership with Medicos del Mundo and the Kunene RACOC, embarked this year on an exciting new project: the Kunene Xchange visit. OYO has worked this year with two talented youth groups in the region: Khorixas and Outjo. Medicos has supported another group: Opuwo. It was therefore felt all three groups should have a chance to meet and learn from one another.

In order to do so, under the leadership of OYO, all three groups attended a five-days drama training. They were tasked to each create a 15-minutes performance including a drama, one dance and one song. Coordinated by OYO’s production coordinator M. Kamati and under the leadership of OYO’s production assistants, the three groups were set to work hard in October. Outjo worked on the issue of sugar daddies, Khorixas on the issue of alcohol and drug abuse and Opuwo on the issue of HIV testing. They all produced outstanding shows.

Getting ready for the performance at Putuavanga

It was then time to meet. On the 30 October, Khorixas and Outjo youth groups arrived in Opuwo. All groups showed their work to each other. They had also learnt three songs in common, ‘It feels’ and ‘we are the youth’, originally created by the Karibib youth group and ‘love’ originally created by Outjo. After two days rehearsals, they were ready to present their shows.

Shows were presented in the home-towns of the groups (Opuwo, followed by Khorixas, followed by Outjo). Each group therefore had a chance to visit the other groups’ places. They reached 1786 learners, 24 teachers and 274 community members. It was an exciting experience for all those involved.

Outjo youth gruoup rehersing its song

 

The tour was a great experience. I enjoyed it. It was a very good idea for the youth in the Kunene to exchange and educate the other youths with our ideas. I really feel proud of myself and my region because we had this wonderful experience, to teach ourselves. And I think the audience really took something, because they were listening and enjoying the shows.
Olga Shinuna, Opuwo youth group

Thanks to Mr Philippe to have come up with something this year that has killed this shyness in me. I am now able to perform openly in front of my fellow friends. We, in Outjo, wish to be well-known throughout the country and this tour is helping us reaching this objective.
Rixzy Gaeseb, Outjo youth group

It was really interesting meeting new faces again. The exchange itself was very nice and I enjoyed it a lot. To work with many young people like me makes me feel brave and confident. Since we are from different towns and communities and have different cultures, we can learn a lot. Fellow youth members from Outjo and Opuwo were friendly and that made it easy for us to know each other. I think this exchange program should really continue
Mercy Khaises, Khorixas youth group

This exchange visit was excellent. We get to know each other very well and we can work together in Kunene. Kunene is a very beautiful region and very attractive. So if you guys keep on working with the youth of Kunene or doing more projects, then we will know each other better.
Buckzino, Outjo youth group

The Kunene Xchange program was very good and it started in my own town. It is an honour for me to perform in my community and teach them many things, like safe sex and teenage pregnancy. For me, it was my first time to be on stage and perform to the community and I learnt a lot from the other two groups which had more experience on stage. I learnt from them that if you are stage, you need self-confidence in yourself, and this really touched my heart.
Ndeulita John Lukas, Opuwo youth group.

 

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