KENYA: Youths advised to avoid drugs, exploit opportunities available

Youngsters have been advised to avoid the abuse of drugs and stay focused in their endeavors to see the opportunities surrounding them. Opposing calls for the legalization of marijuana, also known as ‘bhang’, Fr Alex Mate who is also the Director of Caritas in the Catholic Diocese of Embu, Kenya, said that the majority of the youth in the country fail to grab opportunities in their life and find themselves only lamenting that they are being sidelined.

Appealing to legislators to oppose the motion if taken to Parliament, Fr. Mate said, “If the drug was legalized, many people and especially youngsters would not be engaged in meaningful activities, and this will lead to miserable lives.”

Speaking during a one-day youth seminar organized by his office, Fr Mate said young people ought to realize that they get education not necessarily to be employed but also to acquire knowledge that empowers them to solve challenges affecting the society.

He urged youngsters to change their attitude and look into small activities in an effort to promote entrepreneurship in the area adding that they should not wait to be given everything on a silver platter. During the seminar, young people were taught how to identify business opportunities. He also advised them to consider forming groups which they would use to start various activities that can help them earn a living and become employers.

John Munene, Assistant Director of Caritas-Embu also urged the youth to start projects such as goat and chicken rearing, among other income generating activities which do not necessarily require huge capital. Caritas office has been facilitating projects such as educating the county citizens on the importance of embracing agribusiness and entrepreneurship ventures. Munene has asked the youth to believe in themselves, to begin their own ventures and to become what they dream to be, emphasizing their input would greatly help in fighting poverty.

The duo who spoke to over 200 young people drawn from the entire diocese said idleness and drug use was a major contributor to poverty and desperation among the unemployed youth. Jackline Muthoni, a beneficially of the Caritas organized seminar lauded the efforts of the Catholic Church in Embu through the social development arm, saying she learned farming and value addition tips that would help make a kill and create job opportunities for young people.

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By Felix Muriithi