Windhoek, June 6 — Youth organizations, community members, and volunteers gathered today at the Otjomuise Informal Settlement for the “Peace My Namibia: Clean Environment, United Africa” Clean-Up and Awareness Campaign. This event commemorated both Africa Day and the 25th of May Proclamation of the Declaration of Peace, as well as the founding day of HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light).
A Collaborative Effort for Peace and Sustainability
Jointly hosted by HWPL, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), Rob Youth Foundation Namibia, with the support from City of Windhoek waste management department and the Khomasdal Constituency Councilor’s office. The campaign aimed to promote peacebuilding, environmental sustainability, volunteerism, and active citizenship through practical community service. The event underscored the significance of the 25th of May, celebrating it as a dual occasion—Africa Day and a meaningful day for HWPL, highlighting their ongoing dedication to fostering peace through community engagement and cooperation.
Community Involvement and Activities
Volunteers engaged in large-scale clean-up activities, environmental awareness campaigns, and community discussions that encouraged responsible waste management, unity, and sustainable development within local communities. The campaign’s activities were designed to foster a sense of collective responsibility and unity.
Voices from the Community
In interviews conducted during the event, participants emphasized the importance of community unity and collective action in creating cleaner and safer environments. Alex Moses from the City of Windhoek’s Waste Management Department stated, “This cleanup is about working together as a community and taking responsibility for the waste that we generate. By joining hands, we can help keep our surroundings clean and create a healthier environment for everyone.”
Siena Rautenbach, the Constituency Development Committee Leader for the Khomasdal Constituency, described the event as historic: “For a very long time, we have never had a cleanup campaign of this kind in our area.” She expressed her admiration for the strong participation, particularly from the youth, saying, “I was truly impressed by the dedication of the youth volunteers.”
Impact on Youth and Community
Participants noted that initiatives like this inspire responsibility, cooperation, and a stronger sense of belonging among young people, demonstrating how collective action can lead to positive changes in communities. Organizers emphasized that peacebuilding extends beyond conferences or dialogues and can be effectively expressed through practical service acts that enhance communities and bring people together.
The campaign successfully strengthened youth participation, civic engagement, and environmental awareness while reinforcing the shared responsibility of building peaceful and sustainable communities across Namibia and the African continent.
