YTT empowering high school students

Mashudu Mambo

YOUTHS for Today and Tomorrow (YTT), a Bulawayo based organisation is running a pilot project in schools and communities to fight against drug abuse and bullying.

The organisation was established in 2008 to ensure that youths achieve their full potential.
The programmes officer, Wandile Masuku, indicated that they were running a project in schools and communities in the Matabeleland region.

“YTT is implementing a pilot project called the ‘Safer Schools and Peaceful Communities Through Youth Engagement’. This project is being implemented in Bulawayo, Tsholotsho and Matobo districts.

“We are working with six schools in Bulawayo, four schools in Matobo district and four schools in Tsholotsho. Our areas of interest are in dealing with issues of violence, bullying, drug and substance abuse, stress and depression among learners,” she said.

Masuku indicated that YTT has partnered with a number of organisations in dealing with the plight of young people.

“YTT has partnered with organisations like Active Youth Zimbabwe and World Mental Resilience Programmes. The goal is to reduce the cases of bullying and violence in schools and ensure that we improve the psychological well-being of learners by training them and bringing in new solutions to stop drug and substance abuse,” she said.

Masuku added that YTT was also running some farming projects meant to improve the lives of the youths.

“We are running some projects that are meant to improve the livelihoods of the youth. Our projects are in training young people on smart agricultural practices, fodder production and basic animal care. We have a number of young people who are now involved in gardening and rearing Boer goats,” she said.