By Alex Gahima
The ages 9 to 12 are what is referred to as Pre- teens.
During this period of development, children are at the stage where they’re leaving childhood and entering adolescence.
Their bodies, emotions and ideas about themselves develop and change at different speeds and times.
Today’s economic pressures on most families has left many pre-teens sidelined and even ignored especially those from very poor families.
The youngsters join the race to adulthood, ill prepared for a hard life that requires a sense of belonging, mastery, independence and purpose to function properly, as was intended by God.
A lack thereof is evident in Kisoro communities and elsewhere in our teenagers, both at school and on the streets.
Unruly, chaotic, purposeless, depressed and lost best describes the character of most Ugandan youth of today.
A recent Police report from Kisoro reveals, that over 300 youths, some of whom are students are behind bars for crimes such as assault and aggravated theft among others.
Residents now live in fear of their own children.
Movement on foot after dark could result in being robbed of your precious property or being severely maimed by gangs of supercharged 15 or 16 year olds.
The youth simply have nothing to lose, worse still they have nothing to live for.
Saving them before they get lost
A Kabale based Ministry called along-siders, yesterday conducted a one-day training at Kisoro Christian Center (KCC) in Kisoro Municipality.
The objective is to involve youth (15 to 35) to begin paying particular attention to the pre-teens in their communities by walking alongside them in all matters spiritual and moral.
The book of Luke in the bible 18:16 says “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God”
A of total 40 youth from different churches in Kisoro district received training on how to follow up pre-teens in their neighborhoods to ensure they get to know the love of Christ.
Robert Mugabe, youth Pastor at KCC says encouraging born-again youth to inspire the love of Christ in pre-teens is one way of effectively bringing positive change to our communities.
The youth who have to first be recommended by their pastor as well standing.
“Parents would also have to consent for their child to be visited by an older youth. Young men work closely with boys and young ladies with girls”, says Micheal Kyarikora of Along-siders Ministry.
The areas of teaching would revolve around leadership, environment, skills development, discipline, forgiveness, managing their emotions and decision making.
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