A LOCAL resident and former police officer says instilling positive values in young people is key to creating a better country for all.
After almost a decade of working as a police officer during the apartheid era, Nick Howarth says he felt the need to lend a helping hand towards helping the less fortunate.
Howarth is currently a volunteer for the non-profit organisation, The Way to Happiness Foundation International.
The organisation is a non-political, non-religious moral code for living based on 21 principles. Its mission is to reverse the moral decay of society by restoring trust and honesty in the world.
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“During the apartheid regime I worked as police officer and my base was underprivileged places like Inanda. After I left the force, I felt that I owed it o myself to go back and help others lead better lives,” said Howarth.
The uMhlanga resident has embarked on a project in various informal settlements around the city, where he said he is on a mission to remove youth off the street.
“Most people judge the less fortunate based on what they see. For example if a poor person steals a loaf of bread they will be ridiculed and sentenced without anyone trying to understand the reasoning behind their actions. I’m not saying stealing is right but in a country where employment is as scarce as acquiring skills, what is one expected to do for survival?” he said.
Working with Inanda community leaders Howarth has helped the young men and women acquire life changing skills. He started by building a garden which not only assisted the people working there but also helped feed impoverished members of the community.
“Initially I had no funding so I had to empty my own pocket to purchase working material. The community and its leaders like Blessing Nyoni are highly dedicated so that makes me feel even better. The garden project has grown. We’ve also branched out to other parts of the City,” he said.
According to Howarth what’s more important is that the initiative is educating the community on environmental hygiene and the damage that littering and especially plastic do to the environment.
“This inspires them to enthusiastically clean up their neighbourhoods and keep them clean. This action has a far reaching ripple effect and reaches into other areas of the local’s lives such as a drop in crime and substance abuse,” he added.
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Currently he is starting a chess club for school children in the area. Taking to Facebook, he appealed to the community to be part of this good cause by donating chess boards.
“This program keeps these kids interested in something constructive and gets their minds active. Besides that it makes them happy and upbeat. Please help if you can. We need around 100 sets to make this program worthwhile,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
To donate you can contact Nick on 082 859 1904.
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