THE YOUTHS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO BE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 I have failed to get a job is one of the most remarks of most youths today. It is a fact that jobs are scarce but we have to create the jobs as a means for survival. In a National Council For Higher Education booklet that I recently read it had over 50 universities. This is a tremendous development in Uganda's education sector. However Uganda's universities produce over 300,000 graduates per year. That means there is a huge gap in job creation.

Where as there is a lot of unemployment there is no scarcity of work. With an education system that hard wires us to be job seekers rather than job creators, it is not any wonder that the first option of any graduate is to look for a job and not create one. A number of youths due to lack of adequate mentorship under utilize their skills and only wait to use them when they acquire formal jobs. Unfortunately that is too late because even the interview panel will ask the potential employee how they have been utilizing their skills without a pay.

Perhaps we need a paradigm shift to ensure that we recognize unpaid work as real work. Today we have musicians who are some of the most paid people in society. But the process they have gone through to realize their dreams has not been easy. We have so many gifted youths who fear to volunteer their skills but they hope to get jobs. We need to note that jobs are got through connections. If we are not visible in the market place who will be interested in our skills and services? Every person who is alive has a skill that is needed some where but the what is in it for me mentality has killed many dreams.

There are industry captains who joined some companies as volunteers and today are in high positions of leadership. Everyone can add value to society if they see value in themselves. The youths should know that they owe their nation a service and not every activity should be paid for but rather some platforms are for acquiring skills and experience for the future.

HOW TO BE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

1.Believe you can make a difference

2. Join associations

3.Focus on serving

4.Develop a compassionate heart

5.Identify societal needs

6.Develop a clear vision.


The youths are the builders of a nation. In Uganda they form the majority. The question is do they know their identity. There are so many youths who want to go abroad for greener pastures( which is nota bad thing) but can't they find some thing to do in their own country. It is said that Uganda has one of the best climates and mineral resources and we are hospitable so why is it that we are lacking what to do? How comes Israel which is a desert is a developed country? The youths should be encouraged to be involved in community development as a medium for job creation.

Phillip Kiryowa

Finance and Leadership Coach(PCC)

+256752615916

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