Natokawaqa Youth project boosted by Vodafone ATH Foundation
The PYGMIES (Providing Young Generation Movement in Every Society) plan to help create self-employment amongst youths are falling into place.
The group had instigated a few projects from feeding the homeless, visiting the families of inmates and clean-up campaigns in Natokawaqa, Lautoka where the group started.
After receiving the grant from the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation last month, PYGMIES president Josateki Labalaba said they have invested in a BBQ set and five grass cutter machines to help in their initiative.
According to Mr Labalaba, Natokawaqa once deemed to be a Red Zone, and ever since they have been helping the youths in the area to find employment, they have noticed a drop in crime rates.
“This youth group formed by former convicts and the whole point of this was to have a new beginning and make something out of ourselves and the youths,” he said.
“So a few of us got together, and we knew the only way to stop crime was to create employment amongst our youths.
“With the help from Vodafone ATH and Ministry of Youth and Sports, we are hoping to start our own business. We have plans to begin our BBQ business soon and we have consulted the Lautoka City Council who is also helping us with our grass cutting business.
“There are a lot of opportunities opening for us and so it is up to the youths to take advantage of the opportunities.”
He added there are 45 members of the PYGMIES Youth Group some of which are under the age of 16.
Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar
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