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The
REAP Report -- A Youth Perspective
by
Maara Murare
This
week's REAP report focus is on Small Islands Voice - A Youth
Perspective. The report is written by Small Islands Voice Youth
Representative Maara Murare of Mitiaro.
Representing
the youth of Mitiaro and the Cook Islands it was a great privilege
for me to participate in the workshop based on Small Islands
Voice. On Palau I met two youth representatives from the Seychelles
in the Indian Ocean and St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean
and the rest of the youth from various high schools in Palau.
We got to know each other by talking, making friends and asking
questions concerning the youth of today. All the youth representatives
were combined together for discussions on ideas and concerns
of youth in small islands. We were put into groups and given
questions based on the youth issues.
- How
are we going to help out the youth who have dropped out of school
and have fallen into any problems? Is there any way that we
young people can help our fellow youth?
First of all,
to help them is to advise, encourage and conduct workshops for
these youth. Another recommendation is making sports activities
during the weekend, a youth rally and community activities where
youth would be able to enjoy themselves.
- What
are the main problems that the youth are falling into? How are
we going to help?
As we know
the main problems are teenage pregnancy, alcohol/drug-abuse, child-abuse
and violence. Youth need people to talk to who will listen to
their problems and concerns. The message needs to relate to youth
needs, problems and concerns.
- Teenage
Pregnancy:
By helping
them from falling into problems, for a girl that is 15-18
years old should be advised by parents and should be taken
to the Health clinic for protection and counseling.
- Alcohol
& Drug Abuse:
The
only way we can cure this problem is by getting rid of the
people that are buying or planting marijuana plants. We
need more realistic awareness on the dangers and problems
of alcohol and drugs.
- Child
Abuse:
Children
need to be protected and aware that this activity does occur
in every country. Adults who do this need to go to jail.
- Education
and Job Training
Youth need
better quality and more relevant education especially use of computers
and use of Internet. Distance education should be available to
students living on the outer islands as an encouragement to remain
on their island. We need vocational job training on each island.
Pacific youth are falling behind youth in other regions when it
comes to education, modern technology and communication.
Cook
Islands News, 16th December 2002.
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