WTN’s mandate is to provide therapy to youth-at-risk, in an effort to de-traumatize and guide them to become contributing citizens of Namibia. Our story started in August 2007 with a trail-run, when we took the first steps on a road to combine adventure - nature- purpose- responsibility and personal growth as an alternative to traditional counselling/therapy, which normally happens in an office be
hind a desk. Wilderness Therapy is internationally used and a very appropriate method to reach Youth. Focusing on the Youth, almost adults, meant we had to look for elements that could address self-knowledge, strengths, values, changed behaviour, teamwork, choices, and connecting to God. When physically challenged with hiking in the wilderness for 120 km over 8 days, you only have yourself your team mates and leaders to count on - you are confronted with a new perspective on where you fit in the bigger cosmos. This experience developed into a formal WTN program of the Church Benevolance Board, Windhoek (Kerklike Maatskaplike Raad Windhoek) in 2008. As the CBB’s structure changed, WTN is now an independent programme with the WTN Board as the employer and now affiliated to EcSoS (W O 8). Our program also incorporate a mentoring element and runs over a period of ±18 months, which includes weekly life skills sessions, community projects/service and other educational/learning activities and experiences. Today WTN is known as a positive youth/community development programme with the focus on the empowerment of our youth. Young people need support for their successful transition into adulthood. WTN is a non-profit organisation who depends on donations from private people, churches, and businesses etc. Learners are referred to us by their schools. Schools that presently participate in the WTN programme are grade 11 and 12’s from Augustineum Secondary School and Ella du Plessis Secondary School, Windhoek, Rehoboth High School, Rehoboth and Suiderlig Secondary School, Keetmanshoop all schools from the Ministry of Education. Wilderness Therapy Namibia: an experience that inspires hope and a renewed purpose.