St. Joseph's Youth Service is a movement of the youth in the CDN founded in 1986. It is mandated to implement all youth programmes in all parishes and learning institutions in the diocese.

Objectives

The youth movement in the Diocese seeks the following objectives:-
Formation of Catholic youths, equipping them to evangelize their peers
Promote co-operation and networking at all levels enabling exchange of ideas and experiences with youth from outside the Diocese and other members of the society.
Make the youth aware of their responsibility in environmental protection.
Conscientise the youth on their rights and obligations in building a just, progressive and peaceful society to the gospel and teachings of the church.
To bring Christian awareness in all learning institutions.
To promote evangelization among the young people through a well organized youth pastoral ministry/Programme.
To develop capacity building strategies designed to strengthen the role of the youth so as to facilitate and promote self reliance within the different levels of the church structure.
To create awareness on moral living among the young people (Aids, Sexually Transmitted Diseases) as taught by the church.
Help the youth to be aware of the needs of the less fortunate in the society and respond accordingly.
Promote behaviour change among young people.

Mission Statement

To enhance the spirituality of the young people and improve their quality of life.

Vision

" To promote healthy formation of the youth, challenging and enabling them by the gospel and teachings of the church to live a more spiritual life; be economically self - reliant, politically well sensitized and be closely identified with the whole life of the church by responding to their vocations in life and becoming responsible Christian citizens."

St. Joseph's Youth Service SWOT

a) Strengths

Team Spirit among the youth
A well organized church structure
Many young professionals in various disciplines
Good leadership
Diversity of culture among the young people
A Christian movement

b) Weaknesses

Mobility of young people - instability
Lack of trained youth staff
Lack of adequate youth training materials
Lack of finances
Lack of a youth centre
Poor communication and transport systems.

c) Opportunities

Enthusiasm among people
Diversity of culture in the Diocese
Openness among the young people
Talented young people
Co-operation of leaders
Availability of young people
Availability of adult companions at all levels
Bishop's support - readily available
Priests' interest in the youth ministry
CDN's geographical region
Improved Information Technology

d) Threats :

Unemployment
HIV/AIDS pandemic
Drug abuse
Strikes in Schools / Institutions
Anti - social behaviour among the youth
Early pregnancies and early marriages
Broken families
Women Circumcision
Forced marriage
Emergence of many religious sects
Diminishing donor funds

"You are the salt of the world, but if salt loses its taste, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled under people's feet.

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in people's sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your father in heaven."

Matthew 5: 13-16

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