13 Dec 2017

Misuse of social media by the youth is the main reason why the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) exists - to change the behaviour, mindset, heart and instill hope among the youth through music and the Bible.

South Korea’s International Mindset Education Institute Professor OH Sung Gyun said this when addressing a four-day IYF World Camp at the University of Botswana that the organisation targeted the youth in universities around the world and equips them with activities of volunteerism where they would live with one another, interact and learn different cultures.

“This will help them to change their behaviour towards suicidal websites, which leads to misuse of social media and to realise that most problems they encounter are worldwide problems,” he said.

He said by interacting with one another, the youth would realise that they were loved and cared about. 

Change of mindset, which was the main item of the event, he said, enabled youngsters to be equipped with minds to become leaders of the next generation.

He was of the view that change of mindset would help the youth to make good choices such as when con fronted with temptations to commit crime and abuse substance, and internet.

According to Prof. Gyun, every year South Korea sends over 500 youth who have completed their studies from various universities to work in activities of Volunteerism around the world. 

“It is pleasing to note that some of these youth end up deciding to live in those countries and adopting their cultures,” he said.

“Showing love to the youth makes their hearts strong enough to overcome difficulties. 

In this ever changing world, some youth find it difficult to manage their hearts, when they are despised, they end up choosing the extreme negative ideas of thinking about their lives,” he said.

For his part, policy specialist in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Lawrence Ookeditse said across the world young people were challenged, confronted with situations that made it difficult for them to be what they wanted to be, unemployed, some trying to cope in a world where technology was ever changing and a world where family institutions had to change.

“Through all of these, we see a lot of young people being depressed, resorting to anti-social behaviour,” said Mr Ookeditse, applauding IYF for having risen and responded in a positive way to the challenges of the youth.

“The camp and its many activities are a very important intervention, I want to say that we as a ministry have an intention to sign a Memorandum of Agreement so that we can work together to do this kind of activities so that we can grow your foot print across the world,” added.

Furthermore, he stated that Batswana came from a history of being consumers,, but it was time they became creators of their own realities by learning as much as they can and teaching their friends about themselves and what they did.

Meanwhile, 23-year–old Jessica Lekoma, graduate of Botswana Accountancy College of Mahalapye, said she got into an encounter with IYF when she first attended the world camp in 2013. 

She said the workshop was amazing because it comprised of youth from various nationalities who spoke different languages. 

She explained how amazing it was that she could share her heart and culture with them.

In 2015, she said she registered for the world camp and she found the mind education the most important topic at the camp. 

Lekoma said the mindset education brought more joy, peace and happiness in her life. 

“Mindset education is like the diamonds of Botswana through which a lot of youth can shine,” she added. ENDS