A SHIFT IN THE TERRAIN; we can still instil values even in the absence of the traditional system

Traditionally, the older people used to impart life skills into young people in evenings around the fireplace (bonfire) using songs, riddles and stories. In Uganda today, this type of environment, that nurtured such skills and provided enabling environment for positive decision-making, has gradually been disintegrating. In formal institutions, knowledge of information is passed on in a formal approach.

The current demands on individuals are more complex, brought about by rapid changes in the society.  These changes call for an approach that explores attitudes and values and developing life skills. Life skills provide a link between motivating factors and behaviour by translating knowledge of ‘what to do’ and the attitudes and values of what “one should do” into “abilities for how to do”

It is therefore a fact that, when young people are informed, they are better able to make rightful decisions about their lifestyle, behaviour, their career, their education, their health and do asset their interest, in the final analysis, to be able to have a socially sound and materially secure and sustainable livelihood for greater participation in the national economy and national development and hence creation of conducive economic situation for all. Young people need skills that are culturally sensitive and appropriate to their age

Something Special for the youngsters at school

Life Skills Info-tainment is theatrical communication programme designed for the teenagers in high schools with the aim of building the invaluable preciousness of the family life and positive friendships/peer relations in order prepare the young people to cope with areas of vulnerability. It is a synthesis of the materials sourced from different value systems; legal sphere, cultural norms and religious teachings fused in a unique youth friendly artistic production incorporating drama, music, dance, role plays, quiz and a variety of pieces on responsible and healthy growing.

The communications in the programme discuses thoroughly the basics of real life, responsible growing and development (basic life skills), including; the skills for knowing and living with oneself, the skills for knowing and living with others and the skills for decision making.  It challenges the young people to discuss objectively, values of freedom, self-esteem, effective communication, love, sex and romance without regret, family life, self-reliance and hard work, practical friendship, dating for marriage and gives them the chance to eventually choose the best and abandon the worst.

What else can we tell the young person? Feel free to go to the comment area, and share your thought.

Exposure to radical idealogy through social media; are our young people safe?

Recent Research shows that, young people’s exposure to social media and modern extremist’s propaganda and indoctrination done through many other avenues including social media are key causes of violence by students and demonstrators in the streets all over the world. According to CNN, the days of would-be terrorists needing to travel too far-off camps to make contacts and learn how to build bombs is rapidly receding. Social media forums like Twitter and Facebook provide a ready-made Rolodex of sources; “…dig further online, mine those contacts further, gain admission to private chat forums and eventually you will find instructions for bomb making”. Our young people are fully surrounded by digital media and these expose them to such social evils. Internet penetration continues to grow in Uganda, connecting more citizens to new digital media tools and platforms, particularly on internet-enabled mobile devices, in urban and rural areas alike; unfortunately, unlike in the mainstream media where content are highly controlled, internet freedom has not been subjected to the same level of surveillance. Therefore the unskilled young people are highly vulnerable to exposure to extremists’ persuasive ideology.

A STRONG NEED FOR PYSCHO-SOCIAL SUPPORT; DERADICALISATION OF THE MINDS

From the time the war intensified, a lot of humanitarian organizations supported the civilians both during and after the conflict. Special attention was placed on shelter, food, physical health, education support and reintegration of thousands of formerly abducted children. Attention concerning mental health, behavior management and attitude management for these children, adolescents and their families was however limited. Today, this oversight has left the communities in the region with a big task to mitigate the psychological/post traumatic effects of war in the life of children; now youths and adults who were directly and indirectly affected by the war. Many continue to struggle with psycho-social consequences as a result of their confrontation with war and experience difficulties in their social life; decision making, coping with community challenges and fitting within the society systems, laws and organization.  living a life of no hope, many are involved in harmful/self destructive behaviors, drug taking and a excessive alcohol consumption  and violet crimes. This situation can however be saved. Multiple approaches need to be employed by the communities to deal squarely with this problem. Effective solutions can come from these communities backed by the government and other interventions by voluntary agencies!