By William Isau
SIBU, Dec 7: Schools in Sarawak are urged to establish Youth KafeTEEN Centres (Pusat Remaja KafeTEEN) to empower teenagers.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Nancy Shukri said that in Sarawak there are only two such centers—one each in Long Bedian and Sri Aman.
She encouraged Sarawak to add more such centres through schools and clubs by registering through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).
“So far, Sarawak has two but there are also organizations like Saberkas (Sarawak United National Youth Organisation) and those who register through the Youth and Sports Club for its programme (KafeTEEN), but it is still lacking.
“We encourage schools also to establish this centre and use the facilities provided by our ministry,” she said after closing the ‘Reproductive and Social Health Module Advocacy (PEKERTI) From a Religious Perspective’ forum today.
She emphasised that the KafeTEEN programme will train teenagers to become counselors and that many of the programme’s activities have been carried out where there are hundreds of thousands of KafeTEEN friends.
“I have to add, hold this programme for awareness; schools are also encouraged to form clubs under this programme,” she said.
According to Nancy, Sarawak records one of the highest number of cases involving sexual incidents among children in general and this needs serious attention from the community, as well as all parties.
“With the establishment of this KafeTEEN programme, it will involve teenagers in various programmes, empowering these teenagers to feel they are useful, unearth their talents, value themselves, and work to generate income,” said the Santubong MP.
Nancy said, since Sarawak has the second highest number of sexual cases involving minors as well, her side will try to invite more agencies and other ministries in the federal and State governments to participate in holding their own programmes to deal address the same issue.
For the record, a total of 18 KafeTEEN Youth Centres have been established in the country.
The KafeTEEN programme which started in 2006 has benefited 1.7 million teenagers through promotional and educational activities, reproductive health services, skills development education and counseling services. — DayakDaily
