Youth Clubs and Role Model Programs

M’lup Russey recognises that having solid, safe support systems is very important, especially to young people in vulnerable situations who may not have close family or friends who play that role in their lives. The Role Model Programme helps young people who live in orphanages by linking them with older youth who are trained to support their emotional, mental and developmental well-being.

M’lup Russey offers specialised training to youth who wish to become Role Models, coaching them how to support the vulnerable young people they’re partnered with, how to provide them with useful guidance through meetings and conversations, and how to keep them safe. This child-led, peer-to-peer support is so important to the vulnerable young people, as it gives them the opportunity to understand and process their emotions in a safe environment with someone they trust, especially as many of the Role Models themselves previously lived in orphanages, so they really understand the issues involved. These inspiring young Role Models have helped decrease the number of school dropouts and their support has led to improved behaviour, confidence and emotional security, as well as encouraged others in the lives of those young people to start supporting them better as well.

M’lup Russey also helps vulnerable children and young people by supporting them to set up Youth Clubs in their orphanages and villages. These youth clubs are an equally important way of providing a safe space, and can increase confidence and reduce isolation, becoming good support systems as they offer community to every member and help every member to feel included and seen. M’lup Russey trains the Youth Club leaders to become peer-to-peer educators so that the youth clubs can offer appropriate support, friendship and advice as the young people go through difficult times in their own private lives. Youth club members say that this support has helped make their transitions out of residential care and into adulthood easier. These support systems benefit everyone involved, as the connections the young people make have a positive impact on their mental and emotional well-being. M’lup Russey also offers training in critical life skills training to youth club members, to further help them safely transition into adult life in community.

It is important for young people to have safe support systems amongst their peers where they can form long-lasting connections and friendships. With M’lup Russey’s ongoing support, these programmes and clubs can be maintained and every young person can be safe, included and feel supported in communities.