On their part, YCS members from different universities in Malawi expressed commitment to support the activities of the youth in both Catholic and government secondary schools through provision of spiritual orientation.
Making reference to the YCS motto, which is “See- Judge-Reflect, Act,” the interim national YCS President, Lustica Simango, said that there is need for the Christian youth in secondary schools to understand Christian values that the church seeks to revive through the YCS movement.
Speaking on the mission of YCS, Mr. Simango said that the movement is supposed to draw students close to Christ in view of changing the world, a process he says can be achieved by reviving the movement in secondary schools through inter-school conferences and visitations to specific schools.
“We believe that by reaching out to these young students, we will enhance their activeness thus also making them agents of the revival to their fellow schools,” Mr. Simango said, and added, “As a young Christian student, I have come to realize that there is no way, one can appreciate, value and strengthen something they don’t know or understand.”
He further advocated for the use of learning materials like books, talks, YCS programs and fully engaging the youth in all activities as a way of making them active in the movement and the church as well.
“That is why it is vital that these students are deeply exposed to the different YCS books, talks, other vital YCS programs as well as fully involving them in our activities at all levels so as to develop in them a better understanding of what YCS is, understand what their role is as YCS members to their fellow students, their society and the world at large,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Mrs. Musonda Michelle who presented about entrepreneurship “encouraged the young Christian students to be independent by trying different kinds of businesses.”
“Economic downturn amidst the COVID-19 variants are another punch in the face that everyone including youths are facing. The youths are facing numerous challenges in order to empower themselves,” Mrs. Michelle said.
She added, “I urge you all to remove that mentality of waiting for someone to give you something to do after school, you should not think within a confided framework that locks your human boundaries for self-actualization but rather do something that will keep you going as you search for your gold medal, no matter how little.”
Frank Kaliati, YCS chairperson from university of Malawi expressed gratitude for the conference terming it a “transformative agent” that has inspired him so much to reach out to youth and speak about issues like gender violence.
