“A youngster needs several persons to help him or her grow”.  “The more one is able to understand himself or herself the better a person he or she becomes”.  “Getting rid of addictions and bad habits is always a very difficult and painful process”…..  these and other thoughts were part of the reflections of the youngsters as they came together and went through a very practical Value Session to help them understand themselves better.

 

The programmes were part of a follow-up of the Youth Rally held at Christ the King Parish, Tetere in July 2002.  Despite the difficulties and tensions in the area, the Leaders of the different villages have been coordinating the youth.  Different activites have been in progress.  Camps, Quizzes, Fundraising, community activates as building up the Kindergartens, replanting gardens, helping build the churches, toilets, etc., are some of them. 

 

Swagi, Talaura, Sali, Grove youth were able to go through the programme.  Bebe youth joined the Grove youth while the other youth groups had difficulties in organizing the same.  They however look forward to similar programmes in the future.

 

The weekend programmes were animated by Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb, Sr. Alice Nambada DMI, Sr. Anna Nakuri smsm, Luzviminda Manlapaz and Ino Mendoza.  Each of these programmes consisted of prayer, reflection, songs and an interesting Value Session.  Then followed an inspirational movie – Molokai, for the entire village.  After a good nights rest, a well-prepared and animated Sunday Eucharist was celebrated for the entire community.

 

The programmes have been partly funded by Oxfam, Australia.  A Leadership cum Media Seminar has been planned for the Leaders of the youth groups to give them a better understanding of their roles and also make them aware of the influence of the media in the life of the youth.  “Talaura, the most responsive youth group , has been praised especially for the well-run Kindergarten programme for the village children”.  A wind-up radio, the gift of H.E. Brian Baldwin, British High Commissioner has been presented to them to encourage them and help them in their work.

 

The youth have enjoyed the programmes and are encouraged by the fact that they can achieve great things if they work together.  They look forward to building up their communities and villages.  It is hoped that they will receive the needed support from the Leaders of their own communities.