YOUTH CONNECT- EMPOWERING TEENAGERS THROUGH MENTORSHIP

Through our mentorship program, we recently held a #YouthConnect session with teenagers ahead of the new academic term under the theme ‘Building bridges for life’. This gathering was a safe space for learning, reflection, networking and inspiration. 

The day brought together young people at family level connected by blood. These were cousins under The Roots Association who were eager to listen, learn, share and engage with their colleagues. We live in an era where young people face different pressures from peers, academics, media and their environment and many of them carry questions and uncertainties that they cannot always share at home or in school. The #YouthConnect sessions are our way of filling that gap by creating an environment where teens can speak freely, gain clarity and receive encouragement from facilitators. The day was structured into sessions led by different facilitators, each focusing on a key life skill or value that teenagers need as they grow. 

The day began with an engaging session on self-branding where our facilitator encouraged the participants to see themselves as unique individuals with strengths, talents and values that define who they are. The discussion highlighted the importance of confidence, integrity and making choices that reflect their goals. The participants were challenged to think about how they present themselves both in speech, actions, how they dress and most importantly their online presence and how this can impact opportunities in the future.

The second session was on how to keep respect for parents and those around us. The facilitator Ms. Dorah Kamwine emphasized respect for parents, teachers, peers and community members as a stepping stone to harmony and growth. Through real-life examples, she explained how respect builds trust and strengthens relationships. The participants reflected on how small acts of respect like listening, appreciating and helping with chores at home can shape character and bring peace.

Our third session was on building healthy relationships with our amazing facilitator Ms. Blessing Atwiine who guided the participants through an open discussion. She highlighted that true friendships and relationships are built on trust, honesty and mutual support but also emphasized having the courage to leave the relationship when it gets toxic.  

She introduced a fun and thought-provoking game called ‘what would you do game’. In this activity, participants were presented with different real-life scenarios involving friendships, peer pressure or conflicts and they had to respond with how they would handle the situation. The game sparked laughter, debate and deep reflection. The participants learnt how to avoid toxic influences, resolve conflict peacefully and communicate effectively. Her message to the participants was clear: relationships should uplift, not tear down. Most participants expressed gratitude for this session, admitting that it directly addressed the challenges that they face daily with peers. Many left with a renewed understanding of what it means to nurture healthy and supportive connections.

Our fourth session was one of the most interactive and this was led by Ms. Brenda. This session was on the use of phones and social media in general and they are central tools in most young people’s lives today. She reminded the participants that while social media can be a powerful platform for learning and expression, it can also be a source of distraction, misinformation and negative influence. She shared practical tips on responsible phone usage and shared strategies on how to balance study and leisure, protecting personal information and choosing content wisely. She discussed the risks of over consumption of social media like cyber bullying, body shaming and exposure to harmful content among others. The participants found this session interesting and timely as many of them admitted that social media consumes much of their time.

The last session for the day was on body grooming and this was led by Mrs. Monica Arinaitwe. This session was so practical with an eye-opening talk on how to look after our bodies. We navigated how to take care of our hair, teeth, face, private parts, nails and the feet. She explained the importance of regular cleanliness routines, encouraged using appropriate products and tasked the participants to always pay attention to small details that often get overlooked. She emphasized that personal hygiene is not just about appearance but also about health, confidence, respect for oneself and others but most importantly a reflection for self-value. Most of the participants found this session refreshing as it directly spoke to them.

What stood out most was how interactive the sessions were with the participants asking questions, sharing their personal experiences and even debated certain points. This showed that the participants were thinking critically about the lessons learned throughout the sessions. We believe that the #YouthConnect was timely and the teens left with fresh motivation and renewed focus ahead of the new term. They were reminded that education is their pathway to future opportunities and that discipline, respect and personal responsibility will determine their success in the new term. 

At Raising Teenagers Uganda, our mentorship programs go beyond academics, they go on to instilling values, skills and habits that prepare young people for life. We believe that we are building strong minds with one teen at a time and convinced that no one left the same way they came. Each young person walked away with a new perspective and practical tools to face the term with confidence.

Compiled by: Mbabazi Pillar