“I see myself as a product of ECP.” It’s a simple sentence, but one that says so much.
Owethu first joined Earthchild Project when he was 12 years old. He came for the hikes, the adventures, and a place where he felt he belonged.
Growing up in Khayelitsha, he knows the challenges many young people face. “There are a lot of temptations here in our community… hijacking cars, smoking drugs. But if you do something to keep you busy, I think you would manage to live in here.”
Today, Owethu is part of Earthchild Project’s Alumni Programme, where he’s learning to facilitate and mentor younger children.
One moment from his interview captures his journey beautifully: “When I see a child that I was facilitating knowing how to behave in front of other kids, makes me feel confident about myself and that I was doing a good job.”
For nearly 20 years, Earthchild Project has walked alongside young people as they grow. Some move on. Others return to guide the next generation. Owethu is one of those young leaders.
His story reminds us that lasting change isn’t created overnight. It grows through relationships, consistency, and young people who choose to give back to their communities.
