This is part of the NCDC’s Active City Development Program behaviour change campaign targeted at young people who are not in education nor employment in the city.
This is the third batch of graduation.
Speaking at the graduation, NCD Governor Powes Parkop said: “The program was intended to enhance our quality of life to live in a value driven mindset.”
Mr Parkop said the residents have a tendency to be prone to negative behaviour and, lack goals and values in life, citing it being a major challenge for the municipal authority.
However, he said, after trying all other methodologies, this program has proven to be a game changer.
City Manager Bernard Kipit said the program is attracting lots of city residents to be part of the activities of the Active City Program.
They are taking responsibility and ownership making a progress to make the city safe, active, liveable, clean and great, he added.
Mr Kipit assured that this innovative program is working and would be sustained for a long period of time. Master Yoga Trainer and program manageress, Fazilah Bazari, said now and onwards they can lead a more responsible, respectable lives.
After attending the program for almost a year, after this training she hopes they will become resourceful and hopefully continue their education or get a job.
She said they initially lacked skills or were marginalised, adding through this program, they have been elevated, empowered and are now employable under the program to have a second chance in life. She was speaking at the graduation ceremony in Lamana Hotel. It was found that most of the students are from broken families, unemployed, former inmates, bag snatchers, school dropouts, street boys, drug addicts, at risk and disadvantaged. The moral values taught include non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, non-coveting, purity, contentment, austerity, study of the self and dedication to God for the highest good of all. The teachers’ conduct based on the values above is part of the emphasis of the teacher training. NCD Governor Powes Parkop, City Manager Bernard Kipit, representatives of NCDC board, parents and guardians, and others were present to witness the graduation. Ms Bazari added that if they chose to teach, they would earn an income, saying it will provide sustainable employment for them to improve their lives and their families-not only their attitudes and behaviour. They will go for further training for Diploma in Yoga Teaching after one year with the British Wheel Of Yoga, an endorsed and accredited program with the Sports Council Of England. According to Bazari, the trainees were selected from over 600 youths who attend Yoga, acrobatics and other creative movements at Taurama Aquatic Centre. Those selected are the ones who have been attending the Youth Empowerment Program regularly and have been committed to the classes, Ms Bazari said. The program also covered the study of Anatomy and Physiology, body systems and functionality like the respiratory, skeletal, cardiovascular, muscular, nervous, endocrine and digestive systems-not forgetting how to create a lesson plan, teaching postures, breathing and relaxation, and finally how to speak with confidence in public.  |
| NCD Governor Powes Parkop and City Manager Bernard Kipit posing for a picture with the 53 graduands after the presentation of certificates at Laguna Hotel today |
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| Former inmate Simon Takli receiving his certificate from NCDC board member Kesley Mune |
