By Jaspher Ouni
DOKOLO – Platform for Community Empowerment (PLACE) has launched a Youth Mentorship Program targeting students against sexual immorality, drug abuse, and alcoholism, with St. John Bosco Senior Secondary School in Dokolo District hosting the latest session.
The program aims to address three critical issues; sexual immorality, drugs abuse, and alcoholism, which hinder young people from reaching their full potential.
Francis Osika, Executive Director of Platform for Community Empowerment (PLACE), said he initiated the program after observing that young people’s behavior can be changed not only through classroom teaching but also through mentorship.
“We are done with Dokolo Progressive Secondary School and today we are in St. John Bosco Senior Secondary School. We plan to move to Adwoki Technical School next,” Osika said.
He said the mentorship focuses on three key areas: “Sexual immorality, drug abuse, and alcoholism, because those are the areas that stop one from achieving their goal while at school”
Osika called on partners to come in and support the mentorship program to help shape the future of children in school.
Addressing learners, he advised: “Men don’t stay where there is love, but stay where there is peace. So girls, continue with your studies and get good partners.”
According to him, research shows that elders must continue mentoring boys. “If not, the world will end up having stupid fathers,” he said, adding that students should remain calm and not be led by friends while at school because “your future is in your own hands.”
“Your behavior will shape your character, your character will shape your personality, and your personality will shape your determination,” Osika told the students.
Leo Moses Ogwal, Community Liaison Officer for Dokolo District, discouraged students against indecent dressing, bad behavior, and temptation.
He said security operatives have informed the community that anyone who intercepts a student found loitering at night will be rewarded UGX 50,000.
“Don’t mix up your responsibility. The Penal Code Act Chapter 30 talks about education, Chapter 31 about how to form a family, Sections 123 and 124 which talk about rape and attempted rape, and Section 81 of the Penal Code Act which talks about threatening violence,” Ogwal cautioned.
Andrew Alyenyo one of the staff who also doubles as a member of Disciplinary Committee St. John Bosco Secondary school appealed to Students to work hard for success.
He said students should search for knowledge and be wealthy before thinking about marriage.
