Church youth care for needy
Youth of St Dennis Sub parish in Kansanga pose for a photo. Photo by Joseph Kato
What you need to know:
CHARITY. The bible says, do unto others what you would want done for you. Joseph Kato met a group of young people who have committed to helping their communities.
It takes great love for a graduate youth to engage in activities such as car washing or cleaning since many of them view such doings as discrediting. But that is not the case with youth of St Dennis Sub-parish in Kansanga Parish. Last Sunday, the youth washed cars at church as their monthly activity mainly to raise funds to help the needy as well their youth apostolate.
Lawrence Mayanja, the male youth leader, says they wash motorbikes and cars for Shs5,000 to Shs20,000. The money collected is used to buy items they donate to the vulnerable, especially persons with disabilities in the different communities.
“We do not end at washing cars but we go as far as cleaning our communities. We do this to give back to the societies we have grown up in and eliminate diseases that could have come as a result of poor hygiene,” says Mayanja. Juliet Munyambozi, the female youth leader, notes that in April they visited Sisters of Charity convent in Nalukolongo where they donated items worth Shs400,000 and did general cleaning.
She stresses that they also organised youth seminars, sports events and dinners, adding that they invite experts who offer career, marital and spiritual guidance and counselling.
“We pay courtesy visits to colleagues particularly those whom we have not met in a long time. We also help friends who are sick and connect others to sponsors for their education,” she explains. A good youth leader, according to Munyambozi, is a role model in aspects such as conduct, education and respect. This helps them win trust from the people they lead including parents.
She advises youth to engage in worship activities explaining it would help them become strong spiritually and avoid temptations which could ruin their future.
Challenges
Lillian Nabukenya, youth leader of St Kizito Catholic community, acknowledges that they encounter many challenges especially employment and failed relationships but the union has helped some members get jobs and marital advice.
“Some youth find challenges in choosing careers. We thus discuss the possible benefits of doing a particular course with the help of career experts including parents,” she remarks.
