Ideas for Vocational Program for Youth

A Vocational Training Center For Latin America and Africa (Namely Haiti, Nigeria, and Belize)

These are just ideas to exchange to build on so action can be made in the future.

Goal and Purpose:

·         A more or less self-sustaining vocational center for teaching national church members vocational training and also giving them a sense of responsibility for their countrymen’s spiritual and humanitarian needs.

·         A combination of a CSI Boy’s Unit, Boy’s Prep Bible Class, and Vocational Training rolled into one

·         Also would be a buffer zone for experimental projects and aid programs initiated by the states like chicken farming, tilapia, etc.

·         Would provide a (unofficial) future leadership pool, just like how CSI and Mission programs benefit the States by allowing boys to give voluntary service to God.

·         Would provide a labor force to help man CSI projects, tract work, and humanitarian work.   

·         Introducing the responsibility to the young men of the importance of taking personal responsibility in tract work, disaster relief projcts, humanitarian projects, and foremost, a sense of responsibility to the Great Commission as is learnt in our CSI programs.

What it Would Consist of:

·         A farm plot where attendees would endeavor to grow farm produce to the benefit of the facility and to improve local breeding stock and experiment with local farming practices.

·         A Work Shop to learn fabrication, mechanics, and other trade training as they become available, possible motorbike repair and salvage

·         A School Room for Bible Study, English or other language courses, Basic Trade Courses, Mathematics and science, and Health and an introduction to medical.

·         A Dorm for Attendees

·         Housing for Overseers and Teachers

What Would Be the Program

·         It would be under the supervision of the National Staff

·         Complete two years of service (or what ever time frame of commitment to complete the program)

If an individual shows aptitude to a trade and looks like is capable to operate independently-------------------- a loan, leased equipment or a teaching position to train future attendees could be rewarded.

A limited pay program could be initiated similar to CSI where either a sum can be saved for after service living or if family difficulties exist--- a program where the money could be used to support their parents I need. A lot of this would depend on local staff, liaison, or further discussion.

·         Similar to New York City missions it would be required that boys attend and participate in devotions and Bible study and memorization on a regular basis

·         It would be desired that a language study of English be a first to help them and also to give greater flexibility in finding textbooks and learning manuals. The language would be invaluable to them for later work opportunities.

·         A major emphasis would be placed on agriculture. It would be mandatory for all boys to help raise gardens to support with feeding and selling produce for the facility. It also would be a excellent place to experiment with new crops, crop rotation, improving breeding stock, etc. All work would be done as is done locally. Hoes and machetes would be the main implements, etc. We do not want to create a “Little America”, but rather want them to develop initiative as they learn more about science and biology. Grafting, a tree nursery, bee keeping, there are many things to learn. These coupled with simple classes on biology and science in a classroom setting could later give tools for these boys when they decide they want to go back to farming the family plots.

·         Work Shop Training would provide training on the fundamentals of Metal Fabrication, Mechanics, Carpentry, and Electric.

·         Would be desirable if there would be a two man crew of CSI boy from the states that would operate this project. It would be a trying work. The goal would be to teach the fundamentals and the use of tools and tool safety. The goal would be to increase the ability of the establishment to be able to fix wells, build houses for needy, build latrines, build solar lamps or cookers, etc. As the need arouse short-term volunteers from the states or hired tradesmen from the area could provide more indepth training.

·         Also there could be a program for the operation, maintaining, and leasing of taxis motorbikes. It may be possible to come up with a Tuk-Tuk like in Guatemala or building a three wheeled version for more serious hauling, etc. It could be the program may promote a salvage yard for parts to have a motorbike repair shop. Leasing bikes to young men in the program to provide extra funding. They would be trained to properly maintain their bikes.

These would take the oversight of possible NA volunteer personal until there was enough graduates to take up the strain

·         If there was a way to construct and sell items like solar lamps, water filters, or if there was a demand from CSI to build handicap carts, crutches, tools or implements.

·         Automobile Driving Training, Auto vehicle maintenance, tire repair, etc.

Schooling would depend on the needs of the program. Bible Study would be foremost, than English, then basics on Health, Science, and Mathematics. Singing would hopefully be a nightly occurrence. It would be stressed that this effort depends on God’s direction on their lives and how much they are willing to sacrifice of their self to help themselves and their brethren find suitable jobs as Christians. This facility is merely to help them find the tools and resources needed to make it work. 

There would be a Mission Outreach on a given day to pass out gospel literature, sing in hospitals or some kind of activity to initiate these young men to giving service to God as the door would open.

It seems that the voluntary mission outreach, disaster relief, and volunteer units given to our youth in NA have blessed us bountifully. It just seems that if this opportunity could be combined with the need for our national youth to find employment….. I personally have attended two units and I taught a school term in Belize. I found these to be a blessing and a boon to my Christian development. It is not for everyone, but it has also proved that work units can help young men by introducing them to new trades.

Also I have notice is that a people need to be reached by their own people. When I travel to foreign countries I notice a cry from Latin Americans to be reached by people of their own skin and culture. However opportunity needs to be sparked to make this work. It is not the sole burden of the white missionary to overextend himself. However natives need the opportunity to have the same benefit to be able to give time and service to their countrymen. How many of us would have given service if we were not present at one of our fellow brethren’s report or if we were not supported by the Church to give a couple month’s, or year’s service to the Great Commission. Too many Latin American youth men need to be nurtured into finding direction out of the dilemma they find their self today. We say no higher education, but what are the alternatives.

I am absolutely a nobody in this struggle, but I do care enough to take out of my time to think and pray for my Brethren around the world. As I look at my family and at the opportunities I enjoy, I have to remember my brethren and their struggles where it is not so. We say it is solely their fate, but as I consider the rich man and Lazarus… I want to be sure I am faithful in being available to my brethren in need.

It seems we are today haunted by the ghosts of Camp 45. Not all was loss. Mistakes were made, but we can learn from those mistakes and rather strive to teach our young men how to fish vs. giving them a fish to eat today. Tomorrow’s Church is what would benefit. We have gave instruction, but today we need Fathers to show the way through this problem.

All these suggestions are just that. I have no agenda other than planting the seeds of ideas for men of action. I have no ambition other than to see the Lord’s work get down. I have no interest in recognition anyman can say these were his own ideas as long as it produces good fruit. May the work in whatever form it takes be blessed.

·         Added Inspiration can be found by Booker T. Washington and Washington Carver in the establishment of Tuskagee in hard economic times and in a time of opposition.

“The school expressed Washington's dedication to the pursuit of self-reliance. In addition to training teachers, he also taught the practical skills needed for his students to succeed at farming or other trades typical of the rural South, where most of them came from. He wanted his students to see labor as practical, but also as beautiful and dignified. As part of their work-study programs, students constructed most of the new buildings. Many students earned all or part of their expenses through the construction, agricultural, and domestic work associated with the campus, as they reared livestock and raised crops, as well as producing other goods.”