Empowering the future

Passionate and driven entrepreneur Gretchen Mercy Nelao Nicodemus is making a significant impact on the lives of young girls through her Empower a Girl Child Mentorship programme.

Born and raised in Windhoek, Nicodemus has dedicated her life to giving back to the community by providing support and guidance to girls from vulnerable backgrounds.

Her journey began at Eros Primary School, continued through Windhoek Technical High School, and culminated in her tertiary education at the Namibian University of Science and Technology.

Throughout her life, she experienced the kindness of strangers who invested in her both mentally and financially. These acts of generosity left a profound impact on her, motivating her to create the Empower a Girl Child mentorship programme.

"I want to do the same for others," Nicodemus, who is now based in Okahandja, explained.

On the mentees who are part of the programme, she said: "These 10 girls are carefully selected by their life skills teacher at Nau-Aib Primary School, chosen from vulnerable homes, just like the situation I was in growing up".



Path to success

The mentorship programme is designed to empower young girls in the areas of education, personal development and home improvement. The ultimate goal is to foster independence, capability, success, responsibility and respectfulness in these girls, helping them become empowered and liberated women.

By intervening at a young age, the programme aims to positively influence their lives and set them on a path to success, she said.

The mentees were selected based on specific criteria, including good academic performance and challenging home situations. These girls are in various grades in primary school and will receive mentorship from experts in different areas, including mental health, education, personal development and career guidance, Nicodemus said.

This tailored approach ensures that each child's unique needs are addressed as they progress on their journey.

Currently, all the resources for the programme are provided by the social responsibility branch of Nicodemus' business, Classy Group. However, her aim is to expand the programme and involve more sponsors and donors in supporting these children. The initiative has already provided 10 girls with full school uniforms to help them feel confident and integrated into their school communities.



Building connections and confidence

The programme, which recently launched, has its next activity scheduled for the end of October. During this event, the girls will have the opportunity to connect with mentors on a personal level, share a meal and develop a deeper understanding of their unique needs.

This event will pave the way for more targeted and effective support for each participant.

Nicodemus said she has ambitious plans for the Empower a Girl Child mentorship programme. She envisions collaborative efforts and long-term partnerships with other organisations and foundations to secure stable sponsorship for the girls. The ultimate goal is to provide these young individuals with stationery and cover their school fees for at least five years.



A message of inspiration

As a successful entrepreneur and mentor, Nicodemus' message for young girls who may be offered such life-changing opportunities is "go for it".

"Take advantage of having people taking time out of their busy schedules to invest in you. Appreciate it and be grateful. Make the best of it. Put effort into developing yourself in all areas of your life. You can never stop learning. The more you know, the better you can navigate in life. When you know better, you do better."

A true inspiration, Nicodemus embodies the spirit of social responsibility and giving back to her community. She believes that, as leaders of today, it is our duty to support the leaders of tomorrow.

Through her programme, she is doing just that - helping young girls in Namibia realise their full potential and become the change they want to see in the world.