The youth programme was launched to help young people of Dandora cope with problems in life; unemployment, idleness, drug and substance abuse and the threat of AIDS disease.

Through regular seminars and workshops useful knowledge, ideas and skills are imparted. They are made to share experiences and to listen to inputs from experts - in all these, the youth are better equipped to deal with life and avoid being easily misled through peer pressure.

Recently the first group of the programme apprenticeship scheme graduated. These were youth boys and girls that the programme attached to local artisans for purposes of acquiring skills. The apprenticeship scheme has the advantage that the youth learn practical skills while on the job. It is also not as expensive as formal institutions would be.

The youth who completed their training recently have already secured some form of employment.

The other objective of the programme is to help identify sports and games facilities and help the youth facilitate access them. Towards this end the programme entered an agreement with Tom Mboya Primary school, where it has helped upgrade the school's playground. The arrangement is that members of the community including out of school youth would have access to the field, especially during off-school hours. From the numerous requests to use the filed, even as we were going on with upgrading work, it is obvious that there is going to be overwhelming demand for it.

Already a management committee to oversee the use of the playground has been put in place. Members include WAC's Youth officer, a teacher member of the Parents Teachers Association, City Council's Welfare Officer and two members - a boy and a girl - from among the users. This is thought democratic enough to maximize participation in the management of he field.

Of course work on the playground is hardly over. We still have to bring red soil, plant grass, put up goal posts and make provision for the track events and other games like volleyball and basketball.

Funds being available, WAC hopes to help upgrade two more fields in the neighbouring schools. We think that with three fields fully upgraded, complete with all sporting facilities, then the community of Dandora will have reasons to smile.