The young people contributing to their community in Thursday Island

WAIBEN, TI – A community-led initiative on Waiben (Thursday Island) is helping young people build capacity to contribute to the welfare of their community. 

The Waiben Youth Empowerment Club grew from a simple invitation to local people who were thinking about the wellbeing of young people.  

Program coordinator Josh Toloui-Wallace says there were a lot of conversations in the community about youth crime and engaging young people, but not a lot of action. 

“About a year ago I made a post on Facebook in the local community noticeboard to ask if anyone was asking about young people. If they were, I was interested to meet with them,” he said. 

“It was about a collective sense of ownership of this process. Because we set that scene it helped everyone feel equal.” 

Following the initial conversations, a weekly program commenced drawing on themes from the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment program. Through stories, discussion, creative activities and acts of service, participants explore qualities and ideas they can put into practice. Service projects have included visiting local elders and helping with work around their homes and gardens.  

As the initiative grows, it is strengthening the young people’s sense of identity, purpose and connection – and showing what becomes possible when a community comes together in a spirit of service. 

“I’ve learned a lot about how we come together as a group of people and how we share our passions and our visions for how something can work and how we take on other people’s ideas too,” says collaborator Matilda Loban. 

Watch the video below: