First Lady takes career guidance, stay in school programme to Mash East
FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa on Monday took her first-of-its-kind career guidance, grooming, etiquette and stay in school programme to Mashonaland East Province, bringing prominent personalities to help mentor thousands of learners on making responsible choices, curbing drug abuse, early child marriages and ensuring they treasure their education.
It is only when they concentrate on their studies and stay in school that learners are able to pursue their chosen career paths.
Mashonaland East becomes the second province to host the programme which Amai Mnangagwa launched in Harare recently.
The educative programme brought together learners from rural, urban, Government, private and council run schools from primary level to advanced level.
Through the programme, Dr Mnangagwa aims to arm learners with knowledge that will assist them in making responsible choices for their future careers.
She also emphasised the need for children to stay in school and stay away from drugs which are affecting the lives of many young people across the globe.
“Today boys and girls, I am here with my delegation from various fields to arm you with knowledge that will assist you in making responsible choices for your future careers.
“It is important that you stay in school and complete your studies because without knowledge, you will not amount to much.
“Who are your friends? Why do you have them as friends? Bad friends are influencers of all undesirable characters and deeds. Choose your friends wisely and always remember birds of the same feathers flock together.
“You should be good children and be wary of the negative influence of bad friends. When you engage them, you will start behaving weirdly, dabbling in drugs and absconding lectures, leading to the destruction of your future. I launched this programme in Harare and today we are here in Mashonaland East,” she said.
The vision behind the launch of the programme, Dr Mnangagwa said, was driven by her passion to sit down with children and help them make informed choices for their future.
“We have a lot of young people who missed this critical life guidance which in turn cost them a lot of opportunities when they grew older.
“Look, today we have drugs that have destroyed our young generation. We should fight this together.
“It is important young boys and girls to have a moral compass in your daily conduct in all environments be it at school or at home. You should respect your bodies and focus on preparing for your future through education.
“Some are not finishing school due to unwanted pregnancies caused by promiscuity.
“We have a lot of dropouts from school, unwanted pregnancies in school children and early child marriages caused by greedy guardians who still harbour destructive beliefs in our families.
“My children, always report physical and sexual abuse cases. Do not be intimidated into silence,” she said.
The mother of the nation warned children against rushing into sexual relationships which exposed them to diseases and even death.
She encouraged those who are abused to be bold and report the abuse with haste.
“As long as you are under 18, you are not allowed to be married off or to be involved in sexual relationships as this is statutory rape.
“Report to your nearest victim friendly unit at your local police station. If anyone asks for your hand in marriage before you turn 18, you can even call my office at the national gender-based violence toll-free line 575 for instant assistance. Certainly, this programme aims at encouraging you to stay in school until you complete your studies.”
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