Strategies
Strategies
Education of parents and youth will be the first line and highest priority in ensuring success. The reason for this is because once the level of education regarding health and socially acceptable actions is raised, they can be inherited through future generations and immigrated people (Heath). In order to perform this task, communities will be evaluated for the particular size of the Burundian population present (Heath). Once size is established, the amount of activities that is required can be determined. Suitable mentors and community leaders can be selected and receive training on how to foster community growth, work with community health care professionals and identify what the largest issues in their communities are.
Once communities have leaders and mentors in place programs can be initiated to target the issues each community faces the most. These will be considered the highest priority and will vary by severity (Heath). Standardized educational programs will be developed for family health and wellness, parenting, morality as well as cultural heritage (Heath). Programs will be put into place to specifically address the drug and alcohol consumption and abuse as well as programs for recovery from these issues. Although each community will have its own priorities and objectives, all educational programs will be made available and accessible (Heath). This will give the opportunity for all members of the Burundian community to participate in any area they wish at any time.
Providing a mentoring program for youth and pairing them with established members of the community in a one-on-one or community setting will provide the guidance and structure they need. Through mentorship youth can learn how to keep on a moral path and avoid external influences such as poor parenting or peer pressure (DuBois). Mentors will be able to guide youth down a moral path where they learn to appreciate themselves and avoid alcohol and drug consumption. This will in turn assist in reducing the number of incarcerations and deportations in the near and distant future (DuBois). By having a support system in place for Burundian youth they will be able to avoid undesirable social actions and the repercussions from participating in them such as death, incarceration and deportation from substance abuse.
Because the largest problems with Burundian youth stems from the use of alcohol and drugs, educating them to stay away from these substances will be an integral part of the program. Youth will learn about how peer pressure and following an immoral path using alcohol and drugs far too often leads to death, incarceration and deportation of Burundian people. This is an important aspect that Burundian youth must understand so they may circumvent any forms of temptation or pressure to choose a path that is not true in virtue and morality.
It is with these strategies that the IBWO who represents the women of Burundi in integration will change the course of the Burundian communities in the United States. Although these actions will not reverse the losses we have already suffered due to alcohol, drugs, shootings and many other negative influences, they will provide the foundation for having them continue in the future. By being active in communities and taking initiative we will make a difference. That difference will be noticed in a short time and the effects will last for generations to come. By teaching communities, we will enable them to grow and prosper while contributing to society in a positive way. In turn those community members will pass the knowledge to future generations and break the cycle of tragedy and despair many Burundians are current caught in.
Works Cited
DuBois, David L. “Mentoring Programs for Youth: A Promising Intervention for Delinquency Prevention.” National Institute of Justice, 26 May 2021, nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/mentoring-programs-youth-promising-intervention-delinquency-prevention.
Heath, Sara. “How to Develop Community Health, Patient Outreach Efforts.” PatientEngagementHIT, 6 July 2020, patientengagementhit.com/news/how-to-develop-community-health-patient-outreach-efforts.