Youth initiatives that would pave the way for a brighter future (Q and A)

Youth initiatives that would pave the way for a brighter future:

Interviewer: Meyuri Pillay

Interviewee: Claire Bright of the Clairebright Youth Desk Forum based in Bluff, Durban.

Q] What does the Organisation and its programs offer young people?

A] “ We accommodate people from the age of six to thirty five, so its not only a youth program but we provide services for parents as well as older people whom require our help. Our programs aims at helping mainly young people realize their mistakes and help them learn from them, and make a positive change into their lives.

Q] What steps do the programs entail?

A] “Our programs are formed to help reform children who have possibly partaken in theft, violence or victims of rape, to help them either reform or cope with their experiences. We provide them with skills for employment and educate them on consequences of crime. We take them on tours to prisons and mortuaries, by doing this they will realize that crime can never solve anything, it only makes things worse.”

Q] Do you have external facilities that cater for special cases?

A] “Yes we do, the organization has links to the Trauma Unit, Special Victims Unit for rape cases. We provide the youth with counseling facilities to help them deal with various issues.

Q] Who are the hands behind the organization and how do you drive the campaign?

A] “We do work with Provincial Government to get the programs implemented, also with the support of community services. The organization drives the program by visiting schools and partaking in drug busts that would search students for potential criminal materials. We talk about the importance of education and the consequences of crime.

Q] Why have you joined the UN Habitat program?

A] “We hope to get as many people involved as possible to support this good cause, to encourage young people to join and show them that good things are being done to help our future.