The post-war reality of young people has changed dramatically through outside influences both positive and harmful.
We are dedicated to ‘holding’ youngsters who are being overwhelmed by technology rather than love
and despair than hope – expressed through anger and violence, substance abuse and self-harm.
What was happening to compromise the health and wellbeing of a generation of young people in Mannar? How to combat rising levels of addiction among young people? Primary research conducted by Bridging Lanka revealed numerous contributing factors:
The Hendro Youth Hub is a safe space that provides care and guidance to youngsters aged between ten and eighteen. Alongside fun, creative recreation and sport, we focus on each person’s wellbeing – understanding the traumas of their past, extending loving care in the present and reshaping harmful habits for a resilient future.
A scenario is becoming more commonplace in the villages in which we work. Poor families send the mothers overseas as domestic workers, often to the Middle East, for their family’s financial survival. The absence of the mother often leads to children feeling unloved, neglected and abandoned. Broken marriages are common. Children are left traumatised and rudder-less.
Naturally, over time, children and young people were drawn to the Hendro Illam space where the PACE approach – Playful, Accepting, Curious, Empathetic – is practised. The Hendro space provided respite from challenging circumstances, nutritious food as well as plenty of hugs!
The Hendro Youth Hub activities include football and volleyball, homework and tutoring classes, exposure to motivational films, caring for animals and growing vegetables, learning life skills as well as developing self-awareness through personal discussions, reflective writing and habit changing guidance.
Two Powerhouse gyms and fitness centres were established by Bridging Lanka. One in Adampan, a severely war-affected area which now has a growing drug problem. The other in Olaithoduwai is also in a drug area with a large unemployed youth population. Gyms provide an opportunity for youth to consider and adopt a more healthy lifestyle.
For young women Zumba dance and yoga sessions were more appropriate than male-dominated gyms - in keeping in this more conservative area of Sri Lanka.
Interactive workshops for young women and men that encourage healthy lifestyles, focusing on themes including limiting social media, reducing anger, sleeping well, eating nutritious food, limiting alcohol and drug intake, handling tough times and knowing how to choose healthy partners.
Young females and males trained in a nine session basic counselling skills course so they could support other youth or family members who were facing difficult life issues and trauma. The Peer Counsellors not only assist others but also use their learning to understand and deal with their own issues.
As many young people are confused about their career path, we target those who have dropped out of school, conduct information sessions and provide opportunities in various industries eg fitness, hospitality, food and beverage, animal husbandry, education, tourism, administration and human services.
Retreating from ICE or heroin dependence is never easy. Our Intensive Nurturing residential program provides a ‘circuit-breaker’ for young people to reflect, regroup and reshape their lives. Failure at school, no job prospects, addicted to substances are not a problem. We ‘hold’ youngsters through the difficult detox phase if they commit to change.
Regular food, live music and dance events are providing a safe recreational opportunity for young people at Cafe Arokkiya. This event has a three-fold objective, to (i) create a new youth customer clientele for the cafe, (ii) provide wholesome enjoyment and recreation for youngsters who willingly turn to substance abuse to escape boredom in an area with few recreational outlets, and (iii) encourage musical and performance based skills in youth. Our Eats & Beats trials have pointed to introducing opportunities for dancing as local youngsters are ever so dance crazy
A youth instigated group in Digana, Kandy District, committed to improving relations among Muslims, Sinhalese and Tamils in the aftermath of the Digana communal conflict of March, 2018. The group aims to (a) identify ways to develop meaningful social interaction among the groups; (b) undertake social service activities that benefit all communities; and (c) address common youth issues eg drug addiction. Youth Nation aims to establish a youth drop in centre in Digana Town.
A different and personal development initiative to assist young people seeking inner strength and resilience to get their lives on a positive track, kick substance abuse, deal with anger and aggression, balance social media with real time relations, find an appropriate career path and negotiate a rapidly changing world.
Drop In Not Out The offer of safe space to negotiate intense and troubling situations including conflict with parents, falling behind in studies, surviving ‘love failures’. Personal support and counselling and even a temporary place to stay will be offered for those who require such support. This initiative is in its infancy and can only grow as young people express their need for support and guidance to negotiate an uncertain future.
This program aimed to explore ways to nurture an intrinsically-based moral and ethical foundation in the lives of Mannar’s young people as a basis for personal as well as district development. The ‘kick-off’ was generously crafted by the Initiatives of Change team from Melbourne, Australia. A successful week of activities, of separate male and female ‘deep and candid’ sharing sessions, culminated in a weekend residential attended by some 70 participants. LMIM was conducted in August 2015 and was a start. A LMIM committee was formed to carry the momentum. They set simple yet ambitious goals:
