The youth at St. Kizito (Chigoneka) Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe have today celebrated the Jubilee of the Youth, leading the week’s liturgy.
In his homily, Father John Mangwere encouraged the youth to be proud of their faith and to stand up for what’s right, even if it’s unpopular.
Fr. Mangwere emphasised that they are the key to the church’s future and urged them to be more engaged.
The event’s main focus was a mental health session on the theme, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
Ombudsman Grace Malera, the session’s convener, said the purpose was to address mental health challenges affecting young people in the parish and to promote the church as a vital support system.
“If you can’t get help from the church, where else can you get it?” she asked.
Malera also advised young people to adopt healthy habits such as building confidence, limiting social media use, reading, networking, and avoiding alcohol and drug abuse.
Making his remarks, a researcher and public health expert, Dr. David Chilongozi, shared the severe risks of drug and substance abuse among young people.
Dr. Chilongozi cited a 2021 study with the National AIDS Commission, which found that 27% of new HIV infections occurred in drug injectors, with a disproportionate number of them being young people.
He stressed the need for more awareness programs for both parents and children, within the church and the wider community.
The vice chairperson for youth at St. Kizito, Faith Liati, said the program equipped young people with new coping strategies for their daily challenges and encouraged her peers to be confident, talk openly with their parents and friends, and seek help when they need it.
Reported by Frank Biziwick, Radio Alinafe Official