SHILLONG: A graduation programme for 76 students from various schools in Sohra, was organised recently marking the end of a unique winter camp conducted by Avenues at St. John Bosco Higher Secondary School, Sohra.
In a world where confidence, communication and clarity of goals are fundamental to success and progress in careers and in life, soft skills and communication skills have become a critical need for youth today. While schools and colleges nurture knowledge and academics, initiatives that improve career preparedness and soft skills prepare children for the realities of life.
Addressing the need to develop confidence in formative years, Avenues hosts a series of annual workshops for children in confidence, communication, values and personal growth every winter,that have become an annual tradition for families across the State. The workshops help children shape their personalities, improve speaking skills and encourage well being and people skills for every participant.
In line with Avenues’ commitment to improving communication skills and employability of youth in Megahlaya, a unique initiative pooling together private resources to sponsor winter camps for underprivileged children was organised at St. John Bosco Higher Secondary School, Sohra for 76 children from various pockets of Sohra.
Avenues has identified through the help of NGOs and youth organisations,100 children from underprivileged families during December and January to participate in sponsored winter camps in personal development and confidence building.
Studies indicate that a significant number of graduates today are unemployable and skills that are imparted in workshops such as Avenues prepare students with universally employable skill that will be used for life and the world of work at a very young age.
Father Patrick, the Principal of the school commended Avenues and the children on their significant development and growth “We hope that you will become transformers of hope for your community and take what you have learnt to your community for change”.
Mayfereen Lyngdoh Ryntathiang of Grassroot, Shillong who was one of the sponsors of the programme said that the workshops were an initiative to empower young people through skills such as communication, personal development and clarity of goals that will add value to their future. She further encouraged the participants to be active contributors to the community by helping each other grow.