Catholic canoe festival helping youths meet their life targets

THE Catholic Youth Canoe Festival in Siassi Island is scheduled for Nov 3-8 and involves five local parishes and the Lae diocese.
The activities are a canoe race and swimming, cultural display, gospel contest, volleyball challenge and debates in social issues affecting youths.
Hosting president Albert Kataka said that this would be the sixth festival hosted at Mandok Island and would involve youths from Gomlongong, Kampalap, Aromot, Aupwel and Mandok along with Youth in Christ’.
Since the founding of the festival five years ago, it has help many young men and women to realise their personal potentials to become responsible people in communities, Kataka said.
He said the festival brought youths together and enhanced them in the social, mental, spiritual and physical aspects of their lives.
“It is designed to help ensure that young men and women understand what their purpose in life is to become a productive citizen so they can utilise their abilities meaningfully to serve God and mankind,” Kataka said.
He said the Lae Catholic Diocese youths were always to participate in the event regardless of the challenges faced with transportation to Umboi and back.
The diocese contributed to educational awareness in family life, HIV/AIDS and related topics affecting families, youths and children aimed to keep them off the street and give them hope. Kataka said companies like Nestle (PNG) Ltd, Lae Biscuit Co, BNG Trading, Prima Smallgoods, Homestate and Raumai were supporting the event.