Blog Post

Dear Rotarians and Friends

Great to have additions. On Tuesday, our numbers increased by three Rotarians (Elias, Brian and Joy). They were successfully inducted. It marked a good end to April. Welcome to May, whose theme is Youth Service.

We are starting the month with the homecoming of the new District Governor, Rtn. Anne Nkutu. I once again congratulate Rtn. Anne Nkutu for assuming the District Governorship.

This month’s theme requires us to have a deeper reflection on several aspects. The aspects range from the engagement of the youth to their empowerment. To some of us, having an understanding of youth service and its scope is essential. There is a tendency to look at youth service from a formalized way and in an institutional set-up.  Yet this has its limits. The description of what a youth service encompasses is a challenge too. Where is the boundary between the youth service and other services rendered to society? Are youth not part of the society we strive to serve?  Are there the right lead characters to model the youth?

Comprehension of the youth and the youth service is very important in today’s world. The world of today has its challenges, and the youth service is embroidered in these challenges. Economic, social, cultural, gender, environmental, political and technological challenges of today impact on the youth in various immeasurable ways.  Each of them manifests an impact on youth on a different scale. Therefore, designing a youth service may require having a holistic approach. An approach, too, that seeks partnerships and complementarity in the undertaking of interventions.

The issues of the youth are many and diverse, yet at the same time tend to be geographical. Singular or stand-alone interventions have their limitations.  Some interventions can have better impact when they are simultaneously handled with a couple of other interventions. It’s where convergence of different partners with different competencies, resources, capabilities and abilities become necessary.

Youth used to grow under the community structures and arrangements. Increasingly, the community structures are gradually dying out or becoming “outdated”.  These structures provided a shelter from where youth derived a lot of support and resourceful assistance. Life demands on the youth were low and partially absorbed by society or a family. Today’s youth is confronted with the “modern world life” and its demands.  The challenge now is forging suitable replacement structures. Structures to march the demands are apparently few. Those which are institutionalized tend to be situated more in urban setup. And their focus is more to the economic empowerment and rehabilitation. Though the economic empowerment is necessary, it is not sufficient for a holistic person.

The model of today’s youth service need rethinking. There are a number of elements that need to be included not necessarily skills or funds only. Elements like attitudinal change, confidence building, upholding of values such as ethics, honesty, respect, and hard work.  These values form bedrock of better empowerment.  Some of these elements are not necessarily taught but are acquired through mentoring. This is why mentors/models are important in the youth service.

Rotarians, the call for this month includes a call for mentors/models. Are you in place to be a mentor to the youth. You do not need to look far.  Be a mentor that brings hope to the youth around you. Individually, you can have your youth service; starting with the youth in your household and vicinity. You can create hope in them. You may be surprised to find that you are the hope a particular youth was looking for. So, be the hope the youth are looking for.

Be blessed.

Godfrey Okello-Omoding

HCP