Youths commemorate International World Youth Day with a pilgrimage.

Youths from Sotakap Ward and Malasang took part in a pilgrimage organised by Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation (NCFR) on the 28^th of July to the 3^rd of August. In keeping with the Jubilee Year theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ the pilgrimage served as a spiritual journey of reflection and renewal for the youths and communities. The event brought together youths and created a space where young people expressed themselves talking about issues that youths encounter nowadays.

The event was conducted over a week, during which youths participated in a pilgrimage throughout the west area of Selau District, spending each day in one of five different communities. The program was organised so that each youth leader had to give speeches on issues that youths face or an educational speech to every community that they visited. This encouraged and challenged the young people to come out and stand up to talk about issues such as drugs and alcohol abuse within their communities, early marriage and teenage pregnancy. Also, they talked about education, how young people that drop out from grade eight, ten and twelve do not continue to pursue their education because they think that it is the end of their education. One of the youths shared “I completed my grade 12 at 2015, that is ten years ago but that did not stop me or discourage me from wanting to go further my education and this year I got accepted to study in a university. I really want to encourage youths like me to think ahead, aim to reach something and be open to try out something new in order to further your knowledge”

They were accompanied by some NCFR staffs that also shared insights to the Gender-based Violence (GBV) Program, Youth Respectful Relationship Program (YRRP), Haus Bilong Stretim Tingting na Pasin (HSTP) and the Peace Building Program. The event also provided an opportunity for NCFR staff to engage with youths and community members, raising awareness about the organisation’s work and the support it offers to survivors of gender-based violence. They provide valuable and inspiring insights on NCFR being committed to providing help to those who need it and to how NCFR continues to advocate for the voiceless. Adrian encouraged the youths saying “As young people you must learn to accept corrections and guidance from the elderly people because they have already been on the stage that you in.”

The week-long journey was concluded with a Mass on Sunday, 3 August, where the youths actively participated by leading the liturgy. The youths gathered at the Nazareth Centre Training Centre after Mass and to listen to speeches that key leaders from the community delivered. They speeches served as motivational and inspiring to the young people and also to educate them in taking the right path into adulthood. The community leaders commented on the effort and participation the youth demonstrated on the week-long pilgrimage that the youths were engaged in. The pilgrimage was a successful and educational journey that they young people really appreciated NCFR for involving them.