Sibling and Family Engagement was a youth-led initiative in Namibia that focused on promoting inclusion and expanding the reach of Special Olympics through a youth summit held alongside the National Games. The project brought together young people with and without intellectual disabilities, emphasizing family involvement, regional representation, and leadership development. Activities included team-building games, presentations, and planning sessions for future projects.
Youth Leaders Felicity van Der Heever and Susan David were inspired by the impact of Special Olympics in their lives and the encouragement of their mentor, Ngawa. Felicity was passionate about giving back to her community, while Susan hoped to share the confidence and growth she experienced as a Special Olympics athlete. Together, they aimed to bring youth leadership to new areas and inspire others to get involved.
The summit introduced Special Olympics programming to a previously unreached town, engaging youth through interactive sessions, inclusive sports, and discussions on project planning. The event coincided with the National Games, giving participants visibility and motivation. Participants left energized and equipped to start their own local inclusion efforts.
The project engaged 120 Special Olympics athletes and 85 peers without ID, launched 1 new Unified Sports Club, and introduced 28 new youth leaders. It expanded programming in 3 Unified Schools and reached over 200 people through social media. The impact was both immediate and far-reaching, with plans to continue the work through regional youth initiatives.
Felicity and Susan are most proud of empowering others and introducing Special Olympics to a new town. They learned how to manage large-scale events, speak publicly, and adapt plans on the go. Their next step is forming a national Youth Council to represent diverse voices and regions across Namibia.