A new group forms in Aitape to assist young people with behavioral change.
Young people of the diocese will be happy to know of the establishing of a new group in the area called the Scouts.
Headed by Juliane Endoi, Group Scout Leader on Base Area Commissioner (Acting), this scout group has already attracted many youngsters both school students and youths to join.
The Scouting Movement initially founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell in England, came to Papua New Guinea in 1912 to Rabaul in East New Britain Province, before establishing the first group in 1926 at Hanuabada Village, Port Moresby.
Mrs. Endoi herself, has been a member of the Scout Association in Papua New Guinea for 11 years since 1998.
She said that the idea of starting the movement in Aitape came about after she had attended a school meeting on the issue of students being allegedly involved in drugs, smoking and misbehaving.
She hoped that by getting the young people involved in what the scouts were doing, would be an avenue through which conseling and awareness could assist in addressing some of the problems faced in the schools at the moment.
After first forming the group in November 2008, the number of young people presently in scouts is a total of 29 boys and girls, students and youths together.
There has also been training conducted for Senior Scout Leaders in the first stage, to assist Mrs. Endoi. These were some young people from the St. Anna Sub-parish and St. Ignatius Cathedral Parish.
She explained that being a scout is similar to being in the youth movement, however some activities vary in terms of personal development.
Such as living according to the code of conduct through self-discipline, respect for others, involving in addressing real needs in the communities, involving in Child Health, Literacy, Rights of the Children Awareness, Reforestation, Job Skills Training, Environmental Issues and the Eight (8) Steps to Personal Growth (religious, spiritual, community, physical, personal relationships, status, values and recognizing one self).
Through scouts, the members will also get the opportunity to meet other scouts from other countries during a world-wide gathering known as a 'Jambori'.
The scouting association is also recognized by other NGOs such as the Salvation Army too, when there is a need for assistance through relief efforts in times of disaster.
Their services are also offered on a voluntary basis with the main purpose being to assist the communities.
Currently the Aitape Scouts group is a subsidiary of the Diocesan Youth Services Program in the Social Services Ministry. Therefore, if there are young groups of people interested in forming a scouting group in their area of the diocese, or for more information of the activities undertaken, they can contact Mrs. Endoi through the Diocese Youth Office.