Youth PrepLink batch 7 has been activated

Apr 26, 2017

SANDAKAN: YouthPrepLink (YPL) has returned to the Diocese of Sandakan and is the 7th time that this programme has been organised by the Youth Apostolate Commission of the Diocese.

This programme was initiated by the Good Shepherd Welfare Centre (PKGS) in 2005. It aims to bring awareness and education to the youth, especially those in the rural areas. Additionally, the programme is also intended to assist those who will migrate from the rural areas into the city, whether for further education or to seek employment, to face the cultural and social changes that they will encounter in the cities. While the modules are tailor-made for the youth in rural areas, youth in the semiurban and urban areas should not be left out. This is because there will be many who will be leaving school and moving away from home to further their education or to look for employment in the cities.

YPL Batch 7 was attended by 20 youths from Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Telupid. The programme will run for two weeks beginning April 16 until May 2. The organisers, a total of 27 people, are made up of graduates from batches 1 to batch 6 and led by the Coordinator of the Diocesan Youth Apostolate Commission, Anna Teresa Peter Amandus. Sr Lilian Unsoh, fsic who is the spiritual counsellor for the Youth Apostolate Commission of the Diocese of Sandakan will also be in attendance.

After registration and dinner on the first day, Jason Alexander from Batch 4 (2014), together with graduates from other batches, led a programme, Time of Life. Some games were played to break the ice among the participants. Ms Jane Hugo, Coordinator of the Parish Youth Apostolate Sandakan welcomed the participants and hoped that this 2-week programme would be a learning experience for the youth. The session continued with a video sharing from the graduates of batches 1-6, some of whom are studying in universities or are now working, on how participating in YPL programmes had helped them as students and in their working lives.

Angelic Del Rosario, a graduate of batch 4 (2014) gave an introduction to youthpreplink and the essence of the programme. The facilitators from Batch 7 were introduced, followed by a session on Discipline by Randy Cheah, graduate from Batch 3 and Brad Lim, a graduate from Batch 2 and 4. This talk was to get the participants to establish a healthy respect for themselves and for others. Immediately after, Roynner Patrick Assang, a graduate of batch 6 (2016) conducted a session on Expectation Check. The participants were asked to reflect on the following questions :

1) What are your expectations or hopes in attending YPL Level 1?

2) What challenges or obstacles do you expect to face to achieve that goal?

3) What will you do to reach that goal? After some sharing time, the participants were asked to submit their expectations for the first week of YPL, conducted by Ms Philippa Philip, a graduate from Batch 3, which was followed by a closing prayer led by Sr Lilian Unsoh.

After the closing prayer, the participants were divided into four groups; JUSTICE, LOVE, FAITH and HOPE. These groups will take turns to do the cooking and cleaning of their living areas. They will also be given the task of creating the first Thank You Card to be given to the presenters throughout the programme. -- Newsupdatedospo