Arlyn is 14. She lives in an informal settlement on the banks of a river in the community of Banaba. There are high rates of incarceration in her community, and many young women find themselves pregnant young. Fun, educational after school activities like art, music, and environmental projects give Arlyn and her friends positive activities that can help them stay out of trouble and on the road to a bright future.
Arlyn and the other young people in her community don't have a youth centre or any publicly funded youth activities. Without anywhere positive to feel a sense of belonging, the lure of gangs, petty crime, and drug use becomes very tempting for kids like Arlyn. Once young people start these kinds of activities, it's hard to stop, and many find themselves in jail or worse.
By funding our programme of community based, youth led activities for kids like Arlyn, we can involve them in positive activities. These programmes encourage self-expression through art and music, environmental activism, and hard work in school. Arlyn will be welcomed into a group of young people who are working toward a bright future rather than seeking out a sense of belonging with gangs.
By helping kids like Arlyn stay out of trouble, stay in school, and feel welcomed we can create a strong next generation in the poorer areas of Banaba.