About Us

Who We Are

Atusheni Women Youth & SME Foundation is a Namibian-based non-profit making, Article 21 NGO which has been operational in Namibia since 2011.

Atusheni attracts a strong component of unemployed young men and women to its programs through which thousands of other Namibians are empowered and positively motivated and sensitized regarding the importance of self-employment as the answer to unemployment, through the foundation’s well attended events and educative programs.

A particular strength of Atusheni is that it attracts all community members across all 14 regions in Namibia. The foundation believes that people need to be united to fight poverty – which is one of the most profound social problems in the Namibian society. Atusheni strives to complement the Namibian government’s efforts in combating poverty and unemployment as well as to uphold its principles of good governance and the rule of law.

Vision

To be a leading Women Youth & SME empowerment agent and self-sustaining civil society organization by 2025.

Vision Statement

• To empower 15000 women, Youth & SME through economic development and awareness raising programs
• To sensitize vulnerable communities on the importance of human rights and gender equality
• To provide girls with information on sexual and reproductive health and rights and leadership programs
• To operate as a self-sustaining organization with income generating activities

Mission

To advance the socio-economic empowerment of Women Youth & SME and vulnerable communities in Namibia through training, advocacy and awareness raising programs.

Mission Statement

Atusheni intends to deliver on its objectives by;

• Maintaining the highest levels of accountability with its donors and broader stakeholders
• Being visible to highlight on its interventions and accomplishments
• Providing economic empowerment training that ensures improvement of people’s lives

What We Do

Atusheni organizes Community upliftment events like Trade Fairs, Exhibitions, Conferences, Career Fair & Agricultural Exhibitions since 2015 in Walvis Bay Kuisebmond and Swakopmund, Mondesa. These events are organized annually and usually run between 4 to 6 days. The Foundation is now 10 years old after successfully registering it only during May 2025 to run socio-economic activities and thereby generate their own resources to be self-sustainable.

The following is a list of some of our programs;

Skills empowerment programs

• Basic Computer Literacy / Basic Office Administration / Customer Care / Adult Literacy
• Basics of Business (Financial Literacy) / SME Training
• Agriculture/ Horticulture (Growing own Vegetables & Fruits)
• Perfume Making / Manicure-Pedicure -Dishwashing - Training
• Basic Needlework and Tailoring (Mosquito Nets) - Training
• First-Aid Training
• Craft Production – Carpets & Clay Pots
• Baking Lessons

Human rights awareness programs

• SME Workshops & Training
• Gender Based Violence and substance abuse workshops
• Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IVP) Dialogue with Men & Boys workshops

Sponsors

We currently have technology sponsors such as Sdreatech Private Limited and solely rely on the events we are hosting.

Projects

Mosquito Net Training from Friday 5 September 2025 to manufacture 100x nets for malaria pandemic.

Initiative

In April every year we host the Atusheni Exhibition in Kuisebmond Walvis Bay for the past 10 years to uplift different Communities Women Youth & SME in and around Namibia.

Women

The vision is to support vulnerable women by advocating for education, helping new moms with a healthy start, connecting women with job opportunities & providing support in securing employment. Provide access to loans & support for women to start their own business. Provide immediate support for women in crisis including food, clothing and transportation. Offer legal assistance, domestic violence, divorce (Legal Aid), property rights, counselling, address trauma & mental concerns (Counselling) and shelter.

Youth

Empower the youth, young people build their skills and foster a sense of community & civic responsibility. Skills training and capacity building, mentoring & Counselling Programmes, community engagement & outreach, access to resources & support.

SMEs

Financial Literacy & Management, Access to finance, Business Development Service, Advocacy and policy influence, Partnership & Networking.