Sostenus Wilherm
The Palms for Life Fund, in partnership with the office of the President’s division of marginalized communities, has launched a programme aimed at addressing alcohol abuse among young people while improving environmental conditions in marginalized communities.
The Healthy Communities Programme calls on community-based youth groups to submit proposals for projects that combine environmental improvement with activities promoting healthy lifestyles, sobriety and responsible choices among young people.
The initiative will support only 10 community projects, with successful groups expected to use community service as a means of encouraging young people to become more actively involved in improving their surroundings while creating alternatives to harmful alcohol use.
Gabriel Tomas, administrative and communication assistant at Palms for Life, said the programme is based on the belief that environmental improvement and healthy lifestyles can reinforce each other.
“Palms for Life believes that cleaner communities and healthier lifestyles reinforce one another. Community service provides young people with purpose, teamwork, discipline and pride, helping to create positive alternatives to harmful alcohol use,” Tomas said.
According to Tomas, the programme is intended to provide young people with meaningful activities that can strengthen their sense of responsibility and encourage them to make healthier choices.
The environmental component of the programme will include community clean-up campaigns, the removal of illegal dumping sites and the cleaning of public spaces and community facilities.
Youth groups may also undertake bush clearing and beautification of communal areas, waste collection, sorting and recycling initiatives, as well as tree planting and environmental awareness campaigns.
However, the programme goes beyond environmental activities, with participating groups required to include initiatives specifically aimed at promoting sobriety and healthy living.
These activities may include community discussions on the effects of alcohol abuse, youth awareness campaigns promoting alcohol-free lifestyles and alcohol-free community events linked to clean-up campaigns.
The programme also encourages groups to invite respected community leaders, health workers or people with lived experience of overcoming alcohol abuse to deliver motivational talks.
Peer support and accountability groups will also form part of the initiative, allowing participants to encourage one another to make responsible choices.
Sports, recreational and cultural activities promoting healthy lifestyles are also encouraged, alongside participation in national or community campaigns addressing substance abuse.
The programme is open to community-based youth groups in Zambezi, Kavango West, Kavango East, Oshikoto, Omaheke, Omusati, Otjozondjupa and Kunene regions.
Applicants must consist of young people aged between 18 and 35 years and are expected to ensure gender balance within their groups. Each group may have no more than 20 participants.
Groups must also elect a project leader who will be responsible for coordinating the project’s activities. Members must reside in the community where the proposed project will be implemented.
The programme’s support package includes monthly food hampers for each participant, with the value linked to verified attendance and performance.
Successful groups will also receive personal protective equipment, cleaning tools and other equipment needed to implement their environmental activities.
Palms for Life will further provide ongoing technical guidance to participating groups.
The initiative comes as alcohol abuse remains a concern in communities, particularly where young people have limited access to productive recreational and economic opportunities.
Through the programme, Palms for Life is seeking to place young people at the centre of community development while linking environmental responsibility with healthier lifestyles.
Tomas said the programme aims to encourage young people to view community service not simply as an environmental exercise, but as an opportunity to develop teamwork, leadership, discipline and a stronger sense of responsibility.
