Storytelling methods have been a source of inspiration for engaging youth and women in collaborative art and interventions. Youth Empowerment installation was constructed with UFISA project and Rlabs  youthin Namibia during PDC14 (Participatory Design Conference) in Safari Court Conference Centre in Windhoek  6.-10.10.2014. Vikki du Preez and other lectures from UFISA network participated in project. UFISA project brought together students and lecturers from University of Botswana, University of Namibia, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Aalto University and University of Lapland around the themes of service design, usability and empowerment.

The aim of the installation was to discuss and identify themes and topics that were significant to the youth and create empowering stories around these themes. The important themes were discussed with the youth and after discussion the youth created stories using the identified keywords in a piece of string or yarn. After this the yarns were connected together into an installation using more yarn, bamboo sticks, rubber bands and paper. The project helped in creating collaborative shared understanding around the challenges that the youth are facing and processing these themes.

Later on I’ve used similar method with groups of women. Last autumn 2017 I worked with Penduka women in Katutura Namibia to discuss their dreams, challenges and identify keywords to create empowering action with the women.