Africa-Press – Namibia. THE youth of Walvis Bay on Saturday observed a ‘Children’s Prayer Day’ at Immanuel Ruiters Primary School.
Youth initiatives, among them Project 29, The Journey and Faith Academy, jointly organised this day to target Walvis Bay youths who are trapped by social evils, including drugs and alcohol abuse, criminal activities and peer pressure-related activities.
About 400 pupils from different schools around the area came together and marched on the streets of Walvis Bay to raise awareness on issues affecting the youth. They walked, together with the mayor of Walvis Bay, from the fire station to Immanuel Ruiters Primary School, shouting: “No drugs, no alcohol, no peer pressure, stop killing us”.
“It is indeed a very sad day, if it comes to the point where children must come together and unite to fight evils that are brought on them by grown-ups,” Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes said.
Forbes added that adults have the mandate to take care of children, yet the children do not feel safe around adults.
Magano Mudjindi, the children’s representative, said it is time parents, teachers and leaders cooperate to eradicate social evils, such as alcohol and drug abuse, as well as violence against children.
“There has been enough talking and complaining. It is time for us to cooperate. We have a very bright future ahead of us, but we cannot achieve it if we are allowing these things to distract us. We are still children at the end of the day,” Mudjindi said.
The community lit candles in remembrance of those who were killed, raped, abused or went missing over the past few years in Namibia.
Chief inspector Selma Shangula, the Erongo police subdivision commander of gender-based violence prevention, urged the youth to stay away from criminal activities and drugs.
“This is for you, young ones. Young people, you are the future leaders of Namibia. I want to urge you to refrain from drugs, which ruin your lives,” Shangula said.
She urged parents and guardians to be part of their children’s lives and avoid using violence as a means of discipline. She highlighted the importance of guarding against violence and rather teaching the children to resolve conflicts through discussion.
The Children’s Prayer Day was a platform for the youth to come together, pray and communicate to the world about the challenges young people face.
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