Youths stand for change

YOUTHS from Gecko Compound at Voco Point, Lae, are hoping to change for the better with initiatives such as tidying up the beachfront and making it safer for people using the area.
Voco Point has been known for crime and illegal activities until police burnt down houses there after the police station was razed.
The Wong Tim family and Eddie Engineering Ltd rebuilt the police station.
The youths approached Voco Point police station (dog unit) commander Senior Sergeant Brian Panda and showed keenness to change by involving themselves in productive activities.
Panda said that the youths initiated the formation of the Voco Point Seawalls Football Club to get involved in sports and took charge of cleaning and maintaining Hilmar Wong Park and the shoreline used by dinghies.
Eddie Engineering Ltd and Salu Mini Mart owners became keen to support the youths.
Panda allowed the youths to clean the beachfront and raise money for the football club.
Spokesperson Bobby Merire said they were planning long-term solutions and needed support of companies in the vicinity to help us engage in some meaning activities.
Merire said: “As humans, we cannot continue to live life like this. We want to change our own attitudes, contribute productively and build a non-violent community to be at peace with the rest of the people.”