Youth Month celebration uplifts Nigel’s young people
A vibrant Youth Month programme at the Oratilwe Community Centre brought together young people for a day of learning, engagement and opportunity sharing.
The Oratilwe Community Centre in Mackenzieville, Nigel, in partnership with Alstom Ubunye, hosted a vibrant Youth Month celebration on June 29, bringing together young people from across the area for a day focused on empowerment, education, and community engagement.
The event formed part of ongoing efforts to support youth development while also promoting health awareness and social wellbeing within the community.
The centre is a community-based organisation dedicated to improving health and wellbeing through comprehensive HIV prevention, testing, treatment support, and counselling services.
It also provides health education, linkage to care, adherence support, and community outreach programmes aimed at empowering individuals and families to lead healthier lives while reducing the impact of HIV in the community.
Project manager Michealla Kenny said the organisation’s work goes beyond healthcare, focusing on holistic development and youth empowerment.
“Our work is not only about health services, but about building informed, empowered and resilient young people.
“Through education, awareness and support, we are investing in healthier families and a stronger community for the future.
“We want young people to understand that they have choices, that they have value, and that they have the ability to shape their own futures.
“When we create safe spaces for learning and engagement like this Youth Month programme, we are not only sharing information, but also opening doors to opportunities, mentorship and guidance that many young people may not otherwise have access to,” she said.
The Youth Month programme featured a range of activities designed to inspire and equip young people with practical knowledge and skills.
Attendees enjoyed entertainment, engaged with various organisations offering youth development opportunities, and took part in discussions aimed at building sustainable futures.
A key focus of the day was agricultural sustainability awareness, encouraging young people to explore opportunities within agriculture and environmental conservation as potential career and development pathways.
