Pa Ayo Ogunjobi, a retired chattered Accountant, minister of God is the founder of Project Hope, a church based initiative targeting teenagers from various segments of the society. Pa Ogunjobi believes that teenagers are at a very vulnerable stage of their lives and therefore required the attention of both the church and the society at large. He is convinced that when teenagers are properly handled and given proper mentoring most of the evils in our society will be nabbed in the mud before they rear their heads. In this interview, he speaks with Yemi Olakitan on the various aspects of Project Hope and his mode of operations. Excerpts.
·
What is
Project Hope?
It is a concept that talks about hope for our generation if
we return to God and do what is necessary to regain the future. We are
targeting the teenagers because they are at a very vulnerable stage of their
lives. We believe that it is at this state that characters and destinies are shaped
and if we give quality attention to them. We will succeed in saving our society
from decadence.
·
Is
Project Hope a church for Teenagers?
No, it is not a church but it is a church based project. It is
anchored by a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God called The Lords
Portion, Awoyaya. We are focusing on teenagers because God has laid it on our
hearts to do so. If we do not do something about this young people we will experience
the collapse in morality and cultural values which western nations are currently experiencing.
Our aim is to address issues of morality, leadership and individual potentials.
We are dealing with vices in the society such as drug addiction, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity,
teenage pregnancy and prostitution. These vices are common to African youths.
·
How do
you plan to achieve your objectives? What are your modes of operations?
We are sending evangelists to churches, schools and wherever
teenagers are gathered. It is a non denominational project and we are
addressing non- Christians as well, As we are part of the same society. We are using the medium of seminars, workshops
and conferences to achieve our aim and objectives. There are counselors and
facilitators that would mentor them in various issues of life using bible based
materials that would develop their leadership abilities.We also believe that the media can also help is achieve our goals.
·
Who are your
partners in this project?
Like i said earlier, it is a church project of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God, The Lord's Portion Parish, Awoyaya. In addition, we
have identified people that have the same ideology with us. We also have a
programme that is tagged: Training The Trainers. We are partnering with schools,
faith based organizations and corporate entities that may be interested in joining
us. We believe that it will take the collective efforts of the society at large
to make changes in the lives of our young ones.
·
What
about the parents and Guardians?
We have a project that will include both the parents, guardians
and the teenagers themselves. This strategy will have far reaching impacts on
tour young people. The parents will also be able to lend their support to our efforts.
Take the problem of cultism for example, one of our key members is into child psychology
and he is a parent. As we expand, we would bring in more facilitators, resource
persons, educationists to support what we are doing.
·
What
really inspire you to start this project.
It is the need for it. If we keep quiet. What is happening
in advanced countries will happen here. In fact it is already happening. There is high level moral breakdown among young
people abroad, promiscuity, homosexuality, drug addiction and abuse, cultism. All
these vices are occurring because of the neglect of the society to pay special
attention to the formative years of young people. This is why the church must
act urgently. We must set positive standards for young people and help those
who are in need; particularly teenagers who are in abject poverty and have
no-one to help them.
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