'Stolen Youth' documentary tackles drug crisis in Walvis Bay
Empowering Walvis Bay’s youth
With her new documentary, journalist and activist Taati Niilenge hopes to help the community, especially parents, recognise the warning signs of drug abuse and know where to seek help.
In 2019, journalist, author and philanthropist Taati Niilenge, along with a group of friends, launched Project 29 with the goal of empowering the town's youth to become “purpose-driven, God-fearing and academic giants.”
However, Niilenge had already begun working with youth in Walvis Bay as early as 2016, when, she said, she realised that social ills were taking over children’s lives.
In the three years leading up to the start of Project 29, it became clear to her that drug abuse among young people in the harbour town was escalating.
Growing problem
She described shocked parents increasingly complaining about their children’s disobedient behaviour and poor school performances. Children as young as seven were getting involved in gangs and criminal activities, with the police increasingly needing to visit schools.
“I spent more time at schools where children as young as seven were caught with dangerous items, such as knives, stolen money and other belongings,” Niilenge recounted.
“I would find parents at the school who had no idea what was happening, only to learn from their children’s confessions that they were involved in theft, gangs and drug abuse – which was the biggest culprit,” she explained.
Shining a light
As a journalist, author and producer with several books and documentaries to her name, she decided to create a programme about the evils and destruction caused by drugs to help raise awareness.
“We have all tried. The police have intensified their awareness campaigns at schools and community educators and counsellors have held meeting after meeting at schools and churches.”
Some young people were saved and even made it to university, she said, but every day, new ones fall into the drug trap.
With her new documentary, Niilenge hopes that community members, especially parents, will learn to recognise the warning signs and know where to seek help.
“I am worried about the drug situation among young people in my town and country. Many mothers call me crying about their children. It’s the holidays and I know it’s going to get worse," Niilenge warned.
She plans to make the documentary 'Stolen Youth: Hostages of Drug Addiction' freely available to church and youth groups on request for awareness and support.
– [email protected]
However, Niilenge had already begun working with youth in Walvis Bay as early as 2016, when, she said, she realised that social ills were taking over children’s lives.
In the three years leading up to the start of Project 29, it became clear to her that drug abuse among young people in the harbour town was escalating.
Growing problem
She described shocked parents increasingly complaining about their children’s disobedient behaviour and poor school performances. Children as young as seven were getting involved in gangs and criminal activities, with the police increasingly needing to visit schools.
“I spent more time at schools where children as young as seven were caught with dangerous items, such as knives, stolen money and other belongings,” Niilenge recounted.
“I would find parents at the school who had no idea what was happening, only to learn from their children’s confessions that they were involved in theft, gangs and drug abuse – which was the biggest culprit,” she explained.
Shining a light
As a journalist, author and producer with several books and documentaries to her name, she decided to create a programme about the evils and destruction caused by drugs to help raise awareness.
“We have all tried. The police have intensified their awareness campaigns at schools and community educators and counsellors have held meeting after meeting at schools and churches.”
Some young people were saved and even made it to university, she said, but every day, new ones fall into the drug trap.
With her new documentary, Niilenge hopes that community members, especially parents, will learn to recognise the warning signs and know where to seek help.
“I am worried about the drug situation among young people in my town and country. Many mothers call me crying about their children. It’s the holidays and I know it’s going to get worse," Niilenge warned.
She plans to make the documentary 'Stolen Youth: Hostages of Drug Addiction' freely available to church and youth groups on request for awareness and support.
– [email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article