By Mohamed Foday Conteh
SOS Children’s Villages has on Friday 24th September this year trained youths on career and unemployment under their YouthCan project at the SOS School Hall in Freetown.
The Children’s Villages International Representative for Lome Cluster, Dr. Amavi Bada recalled that he was part of the youth empowerment session about two years ago and stressed that youths need to change their mindset with regards unemployment and career. He noted that self-reliance should be a key for adults while addressing the youth gathering.
He stated that SOS International Children’s Villages is not only about children but youths as well. He noted that completion of school, vocational and other life training programmes will prepare and aid youths for the future. He however stated that the best career path is to like what one does. He added that the choices set by youths should be limitless albeit hard choices.
Dr. Bada stressed that the choices youths make will have to determine and shape their future. He said opportunities for youths are endless and that failure should not be the end. He urged young people to venture to learn new things and rise from failure equally.
The Country Director for DHL, Alphonso Pratt said that since time immemorial diverse societies and states have faced youth unemployment. He stated there is no gainsaying that unemployment differs from country to country. He drew reference to Sierra Leone where he said unemployment has had a negative effect on the economy.
Pratt reminisced on the decade interregnum that slowed the growth of the nation and saw youths become perpetrators of injustice on fellow citizens. He added that although the end of the war saw the nation with some developments, the Ebola Epidemic left the country in a bad shape. He maintained that majority of the victims in the epidemic were youths.
The DHL Country Director encouraged youths to choose the right career path that will help them build the right skills. He admonished that self-reflection should be the key starting point before choosing a career path. He stated that self-reflection of skills, needs and wants will aid youths in choosing the right career.
Head of Outside Broadcast, Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), Daniel Moseray made a presentation on career opportunities in the media world and journalism ethics. He told the youths that credibility is the crucial ambit of journalism especially in news reportage that could hinder the growth of the profession if not used properly. He maintained seeking the truth in the interest of the public and reporting accurately as very important.
He told youths aspiring to choose a career in journalism of how selfless the profession is and advised them to deviate themselves from political parties. He noted that although the field is not lucrative in Sierra Leone that should not warrant unprofessional conduct.
Director of Orange Foundation Orange Sierra Leone, Jestina Betts stated dignity, honesty and truthfulness are key in judging one’s ethical behaviour while making a presentation on job ethics –making oneself be more relevant in a professional work environment. She noted confidence in oneself to be ideal for any youths and stressed on the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) as a tool for education. She affirmed that Orange Foundation has sponsored 50 children at SOS Villages in Sierra Leone.
Mariama Niallay, a beneficiary of the programme said that the event has helped her to stay focused on her desired career path. She said that she looks forward to more of the same programmes.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (27/09/21)
