YOUTH MONTH: Reiger Park NPC offers hope to boys amid rising social challenges

Reiger Park NPO Young Boys Discipleship (YBD) is working to protect local youth from the growing social challenges of gangsterism and substance abuse that have affected the township for years.

The organisation runs a youth development programme that focuses on trauma counselling, mentorship, and life coaching.

Every three months, the boys participate in camps and educational outings, which give them the opportunity to explore places beyond their community, some for the very first time.

These experiences are designed to keep them engaged in positive activities away from the streets, build their self-esteem, and expose them to alternatives to gang life.

In addition to recreational activities, YBD also provides academic support through tutoring and extra attention for learners who are falling behind at school.

The programme further offers fatherly guidance, with a long-term goal of shaping responsible young men who can one day become positive fathers themselves.

The organisation also places strong emphasis on life skills development, including lessons on forgiveness, discipline, and respect, particularly for boys who come from households where parenting support may be limited.

According to one of YBD beneficiaries, Timothy Lehoko, many young people are drawn into gangs because they are searching for things they may not be receiving at home.

‘Your child is my child’ is one of the guiding principles embraced by programme leaders, reflecting their shared responsibility toward the community’s youth.

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YBD director Asobio Wilfred said the organisation’s mission is rooted in the belief that every child deserves a chance at a better future.

“They are the future, regardless of the circumstances, and they must have their own lives,” said Wilfred.

Following a series of painful experiences with suicide cases, gang violence, and other losses in the community, YBD has expanded its work to include broader support services for vulnerable youth.

The organisation believes that unresolved trauma is one of the key drivers of gangsterism in township communities.

It also encourages parents and guardians to take an active role in the well-being and upbringing of their children.

Participants in the programme say it has made a meaningful difference in their lives.

One learner, Innie Flagg, said the initiative has strengthened his reading skills, kept him occupied, and taught him respect.

Another participant, Ethan Lehoko, said the programme has helped him discover his talents and weaknesses, while steering him away from negative influences.

YBD said that improving the life outcomes of vulnerable youth in Reiger Park requires early intervention, consistent mentorship, and sustained community involvement.

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