WHO WE ARE
INCLUSIVE | CREATIVE | SUSTAINABLE
Mebala Youth Studios, formerly Young Africa Botswana, is a youth oriented, non-governmental organization that works to empower young people in Botswana by providing access to education and opportunities for personal and professional growth and development. We are a member of Youth Business International, a growing global network of over 60 enterprise support organizations.
Our programs are run for and by the youth. We aim to develop skills, refine talents and foster ambition, not just within the programs’ beneficiaries, but also in the youth working at the Centre.
Support for programs goes towards paving and leaving a successful economic hub of inclusive, sustainable, and creative social activity for generations of young people to come.
“Mebala Youth Studios is doing a very good job and I can bear witness [to the fact that] they’ve contributed to the society. We as a country talk of sustainable community development, where we engage the youth into different projects. I’ve seen it at Mebala Youth Studios, where the youth graduate from their programs and they become entrepreneurs themselves. I recommend Mebala Youth Studios to any organization or financial institution interested in joining them for a partnership.”
~ Kgosi Somolokae, Gaborone West Kgotla (Botswana Chief of Gaborone West Customary Court)
VISION
To empower Botswana’s youth to be employable global citizens who are recognized for their unique talents, culture and skills, working towards a greener and more inclusive Botswana.
MISSION
To prepare young people in Botswana for the rapidly changing world. We do this through a combination of entrepreneurship training, creative skills and personal development.
GOALS
Empower youth to set up, start and strengthen their businesses.
Focus on the vulnerable members of the community, and, with a holistic approach, empower women, girls, disabled & marginalized people to get employed or create employment for themselves.
Advocate for and set up activities to fight GBV and nurture inclusion, sustainability and creativity in Botswana.
The Mebala Methodology involves a holistic approach to social development, focusing not only on the individual but also on the environment in which they operate.
The five studios represent the interlocking spheres of life for young Batswana that, if combined and addressed holistically, will uplift their quality of life.
The Lady Olebile Masire Youth Centre is open to everyone working to uplift themselves and others around them. Autism Botswana currently hosts regular Art Therapy Sessions at the Mebala Youth Studios.
“It’s always a pleasure to interact with one another in a safe, inclusive space. This is a beautiful opportunity for children with autism to explore their artistic expressions and engage in a fun activity with their parents and peers.” ~ Ms Evelyn Kwapa, Autism Botswana