Let’s rise up and empower our youth
The Rise-Up Self Empowerment Campaign formed part of the Sensible Choices NPC Skills 4 Life Programme that started four years ago in the city and was now a national event in all provinces in the country enjoying international recognition.
MBOMBELA – Businessmen got an early start to the weekend last Friday when they participated in fun activities in an effort to raise awareness on the seriousness of substance abuse.
Media representativies from across the city, the Steval Pumas, Ford SA and newly selected Nelspruit Youth Hub members joined Sensible Choices NPC which co-hosted Youth in Business at Ford Nelspruit. The abuse of alcohol and drugs has led South Africa to being one of the top-10 countries of such abuse in the world. Alcohol is the primary drug of abuse in SA. More than 30 per cent of our population has an alcohol problem or is at risk of developing one. Liquor is responsible for nearly half of all motor accidents.
Lowvelder, Rise FM, SABC, Radio Laeveld, Get it Lowveld, and Barberton Times Online teamed up with SPAR Lowveld, Riverside Park, Ford Nelspruit, Riverside Mall, StayEasy,
Hi- Q Tyres, Farmstall @ Halls, Wimpy, Nelspruit Community Forum, CMR Nelspruit, Action Savers, HP Staal, Xela Fashion, Standard Bank, and various other supporters like Ligwalagwala FM, Realty 1, AutoTec Foundation and Re/Max Nelspruit. They were all present to see, laugh and also think about the influences impairment had on a community.
The Rise-Up Self Empowerment Campaign formed part of the Sensible Choices NPC Skills 4 Life Programme that started four years ago in the city and was now a national event in all provinces in the country enjoying international recognition.
More than 10 000 youngsters have directly benefited from this programme. According to the SAPS figures, 60 per cent of all crimes in South Africa are substance-abuse related.
As many as 70 per cent of college students admit to having engaged in sexual activity primarily as a result of being under the influence of alcohol, or to having sex they wouldn’t have had if they had been sober. One in five students abandon safe-sex practices when they’re drunk, even if they always protect themselves when sober.
“Thanks to the generous support of all our sponsors, with Ford Motor Company in South Africa as our main sponsors, the Sensible Choices NPC Skills 4 Life Programme was a wonderful success,” said Ms Jane de Jager, founder of Sensible Choices.
She believes there is no power greater than that of the youth. “They are powerful and it doesn’t stop, let us help them to create a better life for themselves by supporting the Nelspruit Youth Hub.
“We can educate them and give them knowledge and skills to avoid risks and to develop positive coping- and problem-solving skills.
“Business and community involvement are vital in ensuring that the Youth Hub develop a healthy environment. Your involvement can provide social roles which give meaning and purpose to young people’s lives, it can provide a vehicle for changing negative social stereotypes and job creation. Get your scorecard points by investing in the youth in your community.”
Enquiries: Jane de Jager on 082-770-6910.
