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GEORGE NEWS - An initiative that aims to keep the youth on the right track is quickly taking root in George.
Sports and cultural activities will be utilised to fill the void children feel when they reach to alcohol, drugs and hookah pipes for acceptance and comfort. Planet Youth is an Icelandic concept that has been implemented over the last 20 years with astonishing results.
It has proved a success in reducing substance abuse and is designed to incorporate the whole of society through building healthy relationships as a protective measure for young people.
George was chosen as the first community in Africa for the implementation of a pilot programme, which has already been introduced to 15 other countries. Trial surveys have already started at Jonga, Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp high schools at the beginning of the year.
The official roll-out of the programme to schools in George and Uniondale will take place later this month.
Planet Youth is a platform that involves the whole of society and a multitude of departments, including the departments of health, education, sports, arts and cultural affairs, social development, the police, George Municipality, University of Cape Town and several non-governmental organisations.
PHOTO GALLERY: Planet Youth appeal to youth
Young dancers of Thembalethu brought tremendous energy to the stage at the George Civic Centre where the launch took place.
Fresh from Iceland
Pall Rikhardsson from Iceland, CEO of Planet Youth, gave an overview of the project during the official launch at the George Civic Centre last Friday, 3 February. "We don't tell the kids what they shouldn't do," said Rikhardsson.
"When I was fourteen and my parents told me I shouldn't do something, I did what my friends did. The community around the kids is what creates good individuals."
Rikhardsson said the schools will be used as a hub. Being part of the project they will collect the data on the children, working with each individual child.
"Substance abuse has been with us forever. We need strong people, health professionals and parents all to work together to create a different future for our kids. The natural force that we work with, is love. Parents love their kids all around the world."
Data
Shocking statistics were shared by Dehran Swart of the Primary Health Care Directorate of the University of Cape Town.
A voluntary questionnaire filled in by Grade 8 and 9 students from the three high schools in George (with 97% participation) revealed that one out of four children were drunk in the last 30 days; 21% drink alcohol at their own homes and 47% of those who said they do consume alcohol, said they have been drunk in their lifetime.
A total of 26% have used dagga in their lifetime; and 29% had alcohol for the first time at the age of 13 years or younger.
"The information obtained from the questionnaires give us a snapshot of what is going on. Many more schools will come on board," said Swart. "It was evident that there is a higher usage of hookah pipe and alcohol under youths whose parents have little contact with them over weekends."
A total of 83% of the children indicated that they felt safe at home; 56% said they feel safe at school and 28% said they feel safe in their community. "These factors influence how youth behave," said Swart.
Sport and recreation
Only 16% of the girls who took part in the questionnaire play sport at the school twice a week or more. A total of 30% of learners do physical activity four times a week; 55% almost never participate in any art, drama or music; 45% of the teens say they never spend time in nature and 10% of the teens go out with friends at least once per week after midnight.
"The idea is to reduce violent behaviour and school drop-outs, and enhance school performance. We want them to be happy," said Swart. "This is a work in progress. It took Iceland twenty years to get those amazing results."
Lynn le Grange, head of learner and educator support at the Western Cape Department of Education, said meaningful connections is the treatment for societal ills. "Society is the patient. We want to create safe places and spaces for our kids."
Representatives from a multitude of departments, George Municipality and an international guest, Pall Rikhardsson from Iceland (back, fifth left). Photo: Michelle Pienaar
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