Mangaliso Kabulika
TAWANDA and Melissa Matende have launched the Youth Impact Academy programme to support secondary school students by providing advice on substance abuse, career guidance and cyberbullying.
Speaking at the launch ceremony at Fordridge Senior School, Tawanda said the programme aims to engage young people before they reach tertiary education to provide necessary tools for students to make informed long-term decisions.
“The issue of drugs is a growing concern that even scares parents when they hear of it. We saw this as an opportunity to motivate young people and to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
“There is also a lack of career guidance such that these young people don’t know which careers to pursue when they reach tertiary institutions.
“It’s just a matter of degree syndrome and that needs to be addressed.
“There is also a need for professional grooming and living a purposeful life, motivating students to pray for guidance as they live in communities rampant with drug and substance abuse and other vices,” said Tawanda.
The scheme is set to be extended across Harare.