Lae youth club calls for community support

By JACINTA COHLEE
WORLD Vision has helped youths in Lae, Morobe express their issues and problems during the International Youth Day last Friday.
Impact clubs project coordinator Benoni Masalo said World Vision wanted to mainstream the voice of youths, including their actions and initiatives, and advocate for their equal engagement in development.
Youths from the Nanak club at Bundi camp in Lae said that youth success was through community and the leaders, government and non-government organisations, churches and other agencies.
“Some of us don’t make it through because of financial constraints, personal issues or other reasons and many of us miss out on opportunities,” they said.
“When this happens, many tend to commit crime and turn to violence as the solutions.
“Through help from our families, Government, churches and other organisations, we can do better.
“We are handicapped, if these people help us through social activities like funding sports or building a facility, if we have impact clubs or centres built in our vicinities, we can address our problems with youths taking the lead and seeking help from authorities.”
The group said World Vision had been helping them identify the main problems affecting them and their communities and they wanted to take the lead to be the voice of youths.
“For peace to be in the community, it takes contribution from everyone in and around the community in whatever ways are positive and possible,” they said.
“We need support in our education, spiritual, social and physical life to avoid all these negative behaviours.”