Close to 1,500 youths of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from around Fiji, Rotuma and Tuvalu are gathered at two locations “For the Strength of the Youth Fiji 2023 Conference” which is being held for the first time in the country.
Session Directors Miliakere Naivedru and Navitalai Naivedru say the youths are split into two age groups, one for the 14 to 15-year-olds and the other for the 16 to 18-year-olds.
They say the main purpose behind all these activities is to strengthen the youths testimony in their savior Jesus Christ and also for the youths to know more about their savior through socialising and interacting with one another.
Naivedru says they had counsellors from Empower Pacific to enlighten the youth on the importance of mental health.
Another topic they feel youths should be informed of is emotional resilience, while the youths may go though hills and mountains, valleys and storms they have to be resilient to handle all the stress and challenges as they grow up.
When asked on what they think are some factors youths face, Naivedru says peer pressure, and having a strong will-power to stand up and face challenges.
She says while they might fall down, finding the courage to stand up and say they will try again is commendable.
The Session Directors say they also had a session on the effects of social media and pornography, being cyber bullied as well as the kinds of things they are exposed to online.
They also say that the Narcotics Department from the Police will have a session with the youths on the effects of drugs and alcohol and the destruction it can do to their lives and their families.
The “For the Strength of the Youth Fiji 2023 Conference” started on Monday and is on till Friday with one group billeted at USP while the other group is billeted at the FNU Hostel in Samabula but they are conducting their sessions at the LDS Church College in Tamavua.
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