EEG TO EMPOWER CHINHOYI YOUTHS

Trust Khosa

THE Economic Empowerment Group invaded Chinhoyi on Saturday and promised to empower the area’s youths with opportunities in different fields to drag them from drug and substance abuse.

Speaking to H-Metro, after their one-day interface with the youths at Chinhoyi Caves, EEG president, Mike Chimombe, said their event was an eye-opener.

“The interface went according to plan and we were targeting mainly young people and jobless graduates who are doing nothing at home.

“The main purpose was to raise awareness against drug and substance abuse because we realised that young people were the most affected group by this new cancer.

“We provided the right platform for them to air their grievances and it was really sad as they told their stories,” he said.

Chimombe said young people needed jobs and empowerment to keep them busy and fight this new monster.

“From what we have gathered, we realised that it was high time that we make young people busy so that they don’t engage in drug abuse. Boredom and inactivity are the main factors that are leading young people to resort to drugs and substance abuse.

“Some of the youths confessed to us that they had no option than to resort to drugs because they don’t have anything to do,” he said.

The EEG founding president said they were set to take their campaign countrywide to ensure they save young people from drug and substance abuse.

“After successfully launching the campaign in Chinhoyi, we are not going to rest on our laurels but rather we are going to tour the other nine provinces.

“No one will be left out in this campaign that we hope will save the current generation which is reeling from substance and drug abuse. We are also going to engage influencers as well as drug and substance abuse survivors to ensure no one is left out,” he said.

Meanwhile, some of the invited guests failed to show up due to other pressing issues.

However, this did not derail proceedings as the turnout was massive.

“We would have wanted other speakers to be there but they could not come due to other commitments.

“What is important is that we managed to address the young people and it is my hope that they will take our advice.

“After the Chinhoyi leg, we are hoping to visit either Mashonaland East or Central where the issue of drug and substance abuse is rampant,” he added.

EEG was formed with the aim to economically empower young people to be their own bosses, an initiative which is yielding results.

Legislator Munyaradzi Kashambe, Boss 1Chimpa and Fortune “GIant” Bgwoni were in attendance.