Youth mentorship programmes should become national policy

As I was listening to a radio programme last week, I was caught off guard by listening to a testimony of a Rwandan lady who discovered her talent as an actress at the age of 45! Her story made me think about what could be my own talent and I found out I was not sure of what my own talent could be.A lot of thoughts streamed through my mind, searching for the talent that God could have given me, but I eventually gave up! Still deeply buried in my thoughts, I felt great admiration for this lady who had finally discovered her God-given talent and is now an actress as a result.This experience could be shared by many adults who have yet to discover their real talents, and who might never realise them.Over and over it has always been argued that our education curricula only prepare us to cram and pass examinations, get certificates and hit the road in search for employment, leaving no chance for holistic self-awareness approach to discover individual weaknesses and strengths, including talents.Experts argue that the earlier the person becomes aware of themselves the better they prepare to tackle life challenges. The question is; when, how and at what age do most individuals discover their unique abilities and individual talent?Mentorship programmes for the youth could counter such deficiency that inhibits our human growth and development.Although mentorship is relatively a new concept, at least in Rwanda, it’s a programme that is easy to adopt at all levels. Many people associate it with teachers because of the current teacher mentorship programme in primary and secondary school teachers.The majority of Rwandans might not be aware that beyond teacher mentorship programmes, there are other similar programmes, especially for the youth that can help us to raise young people who are intellectually vibrant, emotionally strong and socially responsible.If mentorship programmes were adopted, they would empower the youth on various aspects like; academic focus, talent nurturing, character, relationship, leadership, life skills, sexuality, community service and volunteerism, entrepreneurship, career development, positive attitude, time management among other benefits .Mentorship programmes would come in handy to counter pornography and other technological fall-offs that in most cases make our children idle and lazy. TV and video games that form the day to day lifestyle of our children could have disastrous effects in a sense that they kill the child’s imagination, innovation and creativity.We must develop a new thinking of doing things if we are to give our children a better future. Albert Einstein’s great saying reminds us that “insanity is doing same things over and over again, expecting different results.” Teachers, parents and school administrators, in collaboration with relevant government departments, should design youth mentorship programmes that would shape the new thinking for the youth and enhance their creativity and innovation.Such programmes would be designed to come at the end of year when students are in long vacation. As an old adage goes; an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. We should substitute the idleness and loitering of students in holidays with such programmes that would inspire them, shape their dreams and empower them with life skills which could make them better adults.By so doing, we will help these youngsters discover their full potential at an early and appropriate age. That way we will mitigate the regrets that come with the failures to discover one’s talent or, at best, discovering it at the age of 45!The writer is an educationist, author and publisher

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Youth mentorship programmes should become national policy