“Young People helping Young People”
Posted by Peter Kavenagh
on Jul 03, 2012
Acting President Christine Sims then invited the Chairperson for the evening - Judy, to introduce the Guest Speaker Nyasha and his team - Rudo Mahachi, Tariro Jokomo, and Munashe Jokomo who are all students at Deakin University and are working with Nyasha on the problem that they are going to speak about tonight – “Young People helping Young People”.
AP Christine then invited the Chairperson for the evening - Judy, to introduce the Guest Speaker Nyasha and his team - Rudo Mahachi, Tariro Jokomo, and Munashe Jokomo who are all students at Deakin University and are working with Nyasha on the problem that they are going to speak about tonight – “Young People helping Young People”.
Nyasha with a group of Deakin friends consisting of both Zimbabwean and local Students from the Western District region of Victoria have set up a corporate organisation to help under privileged children in Zimbabwe and young people struggling with life in the Western District.
Nyasha realised when he was in Harare earlier this year that there was a problem with young students dropping out of school at a very early age. Nyasha spoke to the teachers in the schools about the problem and considered that the children needed to be encouraged to have an aim in life – they need to have some “determination” in their lives whereby they can set goals and then with that determination, work to achieve them. This would then give them some sense of achievement and then give them a meaning in life.
On retuning back to Australia, he started thinking about the problem and discussing it with his University friends, tried to determine what could be done to alleviate the problem The Australian students then started thinking about young peoples’ problems here and especially in the Western District where it was noted that young people in that area were experiencing a very high suicide rate. This then initiated a discussion group that considered ways in which these problems in two different parts of the world could be addressed.
It was with Nyasha’s experience as a participant in the RYLA program and then as an instructor in later programs, that they look at giving these young people the experience of challenges that something like a RYLA program can offer them. It was hoped that if these two groups could get together and identify the reason for why problems exist and see whether they can come up with a solution.
It has now been proposed that 10 Zimbabwean students (as a Choir) be given the opportunity to meet up with 20 Geelong students and also to perform with the Geelong Youth Choir at local schools and at other facilities such as hospitals and aged care centres in Geelong and the Western District. This would give the two groups an opportunity to interact and to talk about their experiences
They will be given the opportunity to meet and interact with our indigenous people as well as attending classroom sessions on Leadership.
It is also proposed that prior to commencing the tour, both groups be involved in painting or sketching some scene or action depicting “Determination”. These will be placed on display during the visit and then sold at the end of the program with money raised going towards future ongoing programs
A budget has been prepared to cover the cost of the program which will be funded by the schools, sponsors, monies raised through concerts and art sales and Nyasha seeking assistance through Rotary.
Nyasha with a group of Deakin friends consisting of both Zimbabwean and local Students from the Western District region of Victoria have set up a corporate organisation to help under privileged children in Zimbabwe and young people struggling with life in the Western District.Nyasha realised when he was in Harare earlier this year that there was a problem with young students dropping out of school at a very early age. Nyasha spoke to the teachers in the schools about the problem and considered that the children needed to be encouraged to have an aim in life – they need to have some “determination” in their lives whereby they can set goals and then with that determination, work to achieve them. This would then give them some sense of achievement and then give them a meaning in life.
On retuning back to Australia, he started thinking about the problem and discussing it with his University friends, tried to determine what could be done to alleviate the problem The Australian students then started thinking about young peoples’ problems here and especially in the Western District where it was noted that young people in that area were experiencing a very high suicide rate. This then initiated a discussion group that considered ways in which these problems in two different parts of the world could be addressed.
It was with Nyasha’s experience as a participant in the RYLA program and then as an instructor in later programs, that they look at giving these young people the experience of challenges that something like a RYLA program can offer them. It was hoped that if these two groups could get together and identify the reason for why problems exist and see whether they can come up with a solution.
It has now been proposed that 10 Zimbabwean students (as a Choir) be given the opportunity to meet up with 20 Geelong students and also to perform with the Geelong Youth Choir at local schools and at other facilities such as hospitals and aged care centres in Geelong and the Western District. This would give the two groups an opportunity to interact and to talk about their experiences
They will be given the opportunity to meet and interact with our indigenous people as well as attending classroom sessions on Leadership.
It is also proposed that prior to commencing the tour, both groups be involved in painting or sketching some scene or action depicting “Determination”. These will be placed on display during the visit and then sold at the end of the program with money raised going towards future ongoing programs
A budget has been prepared to cover the cost of the program which will be funded by the schools, sponsors, monies raised through concerts and art sales and Nyasha seeking assistance through Rotary.