Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program
BACKGROUND
Deep seated social and economic problems in our communities effect young people most severely. At this time when our young face new and serious challenges, it seems necessary that parents, community leaders and educators reflect on how we can work together to collectively empower young people to defend themselves against harmful forces and to realise their true potential as builders of a just and peaceful world. The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program (JYSEP) is a global educational process which seeks to develop the intellectual and moral capabilities of ‘junior youth’ - those between the ages of 11 and 15. The program is conceived of as a ‘spiritual’ empowerment program in that it places emphasis on developing the qualities of the human spirit such as truthfulness, hope, generosity, compassion and excellence, as well as intellectual powers, such as scientific reasoning, analysis, creative thinking, expression and comprehension. Community development is not something which one group carries out on behalf of another. Social transformation requires the active participation of the community itself. The establishment, growth and development of the junior youth program depends on the wholehearted commitment of staff, parents and, in particular, senior students and other youth who receive training and support to serve as mentors for their younger peers. The junior youth program is a framework for establishing a system of mutual support between 11 to 15 year olds who participate in the program and 17 to 25 year olds who deliver the program with the close support of experienced friends. The program curriculum is organized globally by the Ruhi Training Institute - an international non-government organisation concerned with developing educational material for the training of human resources engaged in community development. The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program is one program offered by the Ruhi Institute as a contribution to the discourse on the moral empowerment of young people.
NATURE OF THE PROGRAM
The program is organised around the concept of a junior youth group which meets regularly to engage in the various activities of the program. The nature of the group is one in which the junior youth take ownership as they consult with one another, build unity and support one another. The atmosphere of the group meetings is joyous, friendly, intimate and free of censure or ridicule. The group is guided by a trained mentor, known as an ‘animator’. The animator is a true friend who helps the junior youth to create this environment and accompanies them throughout the duration of the program. In most cases, those who volunteer as animators are between the ages of 17 to 25. However, anyone 16 or older is encouraged to offer their services as an animator. In an increasing number of communities, secondary schools collaborate with intermediates within the same Community of Learning to establish the program. In this case, a pool of animators are recruited from the senior students each year to work with junior youth groups for year 7 to 10 students. A junior youth group will meet once or twice weekly during or after school, depending on local circumstances. Some of the activities that the group will participate in include the exploration of moral concepts through the study of texts which make up the program curriculum, complimentary arts and crafts, sporting activities and recreation, and the designing and implementing of community service projects.
A CRITICAL AGE
The period of junior youth – the years from 12 to 15 - represents a unique and pivotal time in one’s life. It is a transitional period during which rapid physical, intellectual, emotional and moral changes occur. Junior youth are no longer children and should not be treated as such, but they are also not yet in the fullness of youth. During these years, young people develop habits, attitudes and beliefs which are very difficult to alter once puberty is past. It is therefore essential that young people receive appropriate guidance and direction during these formative years.
AIMS
The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program aims to provide junior youth with a profound understanding of their own potential and how it can be channelled towards selfless service to society. It seeks to: - Enhance participant’s power of expression, use of language, and comprehension of written and verbal communication. - Develop the capacity of participants to make positive decisions by identifying and applying relevant moral principles to real life situations. - Provide an environment in which junior youth feel comfortable to express themselves openly, explore complex questions which challenge them and draw on the support of true friends. - Develop in participants a passion for learning and a strong sense of purpose to fulfil their own potential in order to help contribute to improving the conditions of their community.
JUNIOR YOUTH TEXTS
A curriculum of texts are a core element of the junior youth program. There are currently 8 texts available, each of which focus on the development of particular moral capabilities, for example, hope and excellence. The study of each text also stimulates the development of essential intellectual capabilities such as literacy, numeracy, and scientific reasoning. The exploration of concepts in the texts inspires meaningful service projects, artistic and cultural expression and equips young adolescents with the skills, attitudes and qualities necessary to deal with the complexities of life.
SERVICE PROJECTS
Service projects provide opportunities for junior youth to channel their talents, energies and aspirations towards improving the community by putting into practice what they have learnt. Throughout the program, animators will assist the junior youth to make observations about their environment, think of ways in which the group can serve others and combat issues facing them. Animators will support the group by helping them to devise projects, implement them and reflect on what they learn and how they can improve. The projects develop leadership, initiative, and creativity, build unity, and give junior youth the conviction that they can improve the conditions of the world around them.
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