JUC is determined to contribute to formations of the youth so as to secure their bright future and develop their country’s potential. The Centre facilitates opportunities for the youth to learn self-worth, self-determination, be intelligent in decision making and goal setting. This is done by building capacity through AHAPPY Generation Programs for Teenage and Catholic Social Teachings for youth as well as Catholic Professionals.
SAFEGUARDING HUMAN DIGNITY THROUGH PROMOTION OF SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG THE LAITY
Catholic Social Teaching
The one week formations take beneficiaries through the social teaching of the Catholic Church with topics that include; Theological foundation of CST, fundamental principles of CST and methodological approach to advocacy from CST perspective.
To date, 200 people have been taken through this formation, including university students, lay people and religious people from all 9 dioceses of Rwanda.
PROMOTION OF INTEGRAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AMONG TEENAGE YOUTH IN 13 SCHOOLS
AHAPPY Generation Program Implementation
This project was initiated by African Jesuits AIDS Network (AJAN) to holistically educate adolescents on how to protect themselves from HIV &AIDS infections, teenage pregnancies and drug abuse, which lead to school drop outs. Launched by JUC in Rwanda in 2019, the project has been implemented in 12 partner schools in the Archdiocese of Kigali.
In said schools, AHAPPY clubs averaging 80 members for each school every academic year, meet at least once a week to discuss modules in the programs manual. The total number of members at all schools is 960, making direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project, at least 9600 if we count at least 2 siblings per member and 2 classmates/friends per member each year.
The clubs also exhibit AHAPPY themed skits, poems and songs during school assemblies so their school mates benefit from teachings.
This project has made a huge impact on its beneficiaries; both facilitators and students have positive testimonies to share, reporting decrease in teenage pregnancies, drug abuse and HIV&AIDS infections.
