SHORT and impactful training is key to shifting the mind-set of young street dwellers, says Seremaia Tauriwaya.
Tauriwaya, a participant of a sexual reproductive health and human rights training for Nadi street dwellers, said the session simplified the topics.
“Within one day I learnt a lot of things that are really important for youths,” he said.
“Before we start with trade courses, it’s really important that we learn this first because it changes our mind-set and how we deal with our anger.”
Tauriwaya acknowledged the Ministry of Youth and Sports for devising the program.
“They have really made things short and simple enough for us to understand, rather than spending years at tertiary institutes, and it is more impactful.”
The ministry’s youth officer in Nadi, Nicholle Carasobu, says the program is part of a series of training programs building up towards the Easter in the Park program.
“We’re focusing on youth street dwellers in Nadi and Lautoka,” she said.
“The idea is to not only get these youths off the streets, but to equip them with the necessary life skills they can use to find employment or start their own business.”
Ms Carasobu said three different training sessions would be held next week aimed at helping young people take up tour guide training, baking and barber training.
“At the end of the training, they will get an accredited certificate from FNU.”
Ms Carasobu said a handful of the participants wanted to start their own business.
“The stakeholders are more than willing to assist them to get their business registered and their documents sorted,” she said.
“The ministry is also more than willing to be able to provide them with the tools they need in order to start their businesses.”
