IN 2014, I was a part of my church’s youth group, and it was there that I realised my true potential in community development and support. Our small church group would seek funding from community members to execute small projects for the community such as suicide walks or hamper distributions. I am grateful for that opportunity because the compassion I felt from those projects resulted in me studying Social Work at a later age at the University of Guyana. Apart from the projects executed, I also had many mentors and friends who were quite influential in my life.

To this very day, many of those mentors still assist me in my professional and personal journey. As such, I am writing this week’s column with a plea for community leaders to continue the development of Youth Groups throughout Guyana. Many of my colleagues and I gained our support and even a strengthened identity from youth groups. A successful youth group not only boasts of its projects and initiatives. Youth groups allow young people to develop important personal and interpersonal skills. Skills necessary for the overall success of life such as decision-making or critical thinking can easily be learned in youth groups.

I think the most important aspect of these groups should be the mentorship, the lessons learned and the character development that each member undergoes. Youth groups should have a target group, yes, but should also strive to be inclusive. Too often, I’ve seen youth group members becoming very comfortable with the existing membership, so they do not extend invites for others to join. Youth Groups can target various members and interests, such as sports, religion, music, social development or even academics.

Whatever the target or activities are, they should be led by a team of trained and dedicated individuals who are willing to make a difference in the lives of youth. I dislike the idea of forming a group just to form a group for the sake of it. That should not be the case. I urge all leaders who want to take up this mantle to understand what it means to be a mentor and not experiment with our youth’s lives. If you’re inexperienced, find people who can assist or help you in the cause.

I do hope community leaders take heed of this because many of the young people in our communities are turning to substance abuse, crime and delinquency. This is quite unfortunate, and I believe these are the consequences of the shortage of youth and community groups across Guyana. In fact, while some groups exist, they aren’t all functioning, educational and motivational groups. That is a point I’d like to emphasise on moving forward.

In some communities, the youth group is the only safe space where young people might feel comfortable and expressive—safe enough to be themselves among adults they trust. If you deprive them of that, you neglect their ability to grow safely and comfortably. It also allows young people to build positive friendships and relationships that will improve their social and mental wellbeing.
If you’re a community leader and you’re looking for a sign to start or restart that youth group initiative in your community, school, church or village—then use this as the sign to do so. The youth in your community depend upon your leadership, and I trust you will do what’s right in their interest.