WINDHOEKscratchgorillatag, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Many youngsters from low-income areas in the most populated Katutura township in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, encounter a lack of facilities and often engage in harmful social activitiesscratchgorillatag.
However, the Basketball Artist School (BAS) established by German basketball expert Frank Albin in 2010, has empowered local youth through sports.
Malakia Mathias, BAS manager, said that the non-profit after-school program combines basketball with education to teach life skills and empower them.
BAS provides aftercare, tutorials in math and English, computer literacy classes, basketball coaching, and organizing a spelling bee competition. The school gained momentum and established its facility in Katutura in 2015.
"Our unique approach is education first over basketball to help the youngsters overcome socioeconomic challenges and pave the way for a brighter future," Mathias said Saturday.
On a typical day at BAS, youngsters from selected schools in Katutura come to the center in the afternoons, have a meal, receive tutorials, participate in basketball activities, and then head home. BAS currently caters to over 30 youngsters.
According to Mathias, BAS utilizes basketball to address social challenges such as teenage pregnancies, negative influences, and substance abuse prevalent in the disadvantaged township of Katutura. Services are offered by local and international volunteer coaches who focus on education, social skills integration, and creating a safe environment for open dialogue.
"We also work closely with and at the local schools to track progress and encourage the learners. We also integrate technology into learning," he said.
Since its inception, BAS has positively impacted the lives of over 900 youngsters.
Salmi Ndipo, a 12-year-old beneficiary, lauded the school for its transformative impact on her life in just a year.
"Before this, I could easily get influenced negatively by peers. From basketball and services here, I gained self-confidence and discipline, leading to improved academic performance," she said.
According to Mathias, the program aims to create a level playing field. An average of three youths who go through the program also graduate from local universities each year.
Moreover, the program has had a ripple effect, with alums like Pedro Pasile, who is now 23, having progressed and returned to the center to empower others. Pasile, who joined BAS at 14 in 2015, credits the program with keeping him from negative influences and helping him excel in basketball and academics.
Since then, he has become a project coordinator at BAS, overseeing the school's operations and ensuring the success of all programs.
"It is the passion and love that BAS ignited in me that I am giving back to the younger ones as well," Pasile said.
Mathias said Pasile's return symbolizes the impact of the program and youth empowerment.
"In the interim, the BAS plans to expand and prioritize education and social impact through basketball to provide opportunities to local youth," he concluded.
Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Ester Nghipondoka said initiatives such as BAS are proven to aid education provision and yield academic progression of youngsters in the country.■
