The Fiji Red Cross Society endeavours to develop youth programmes in 4 parts.

1. Youth Involvement in the Protection of Life and Health

Through learning skills in health education programmes, Red Cross members are made aware of their responsibilities in practising good health and hygienic habits. Activities young people could be involved in include PE, Sports, First Aid, Safety Awareness campaigns in school and community, listening to speakers and viewing educational films.

2. Youth Involvement in Community Service

In Red Cross Youth, we believe that community work allows young people to grow and develop on a personal level through helping others. By using skills and knowledge gained from Health and Safety activities, members can provide constructive assistance to members of their local community like the sick, elderly and disabled. Gardening, clean-up campaigns and service days could be held.

3. Youth Involvement in Friendship and Understanding

Being an international organisation, Red Cross Youth members are encouraged to foster links between countries. Through a number of activities members learn about people overseas and the different ways they live, work and play. These activities include exchange of friendship albums, stamp cards, letters, pictures, information, study visits and camps.

4. Dissemination of Red Cross Principles and International Humanitarian Law

It is important that young and adult members alike understand the basic principles of the organisation they are part of, its role in disaster and conflict situations and the importance of Red Cross programmes and activities.

Having a Red Cross Youth group in your schools is of benefit to the students, the school and the community, as well as to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross Youth members gain:

• New skills eg. First Aid, life saving skills and accident prevention
• Increased ability to work with others for the general welfare of the school and the community
• A growing sense of responsibility and leadership
• Personal satisfaction and motivation from helping others
• A better understanding of peoples in other countries

The School gains:

• Additional resources for teachers eg. IEC materials including posters and posters and other teacher materials
• Its own first aiders for sports and other meetings
• Its own water safety junior instructors for swimming
• An improvement of health and safety in the school
• Further involvement for pupils in extra-curricular activities

The community gains:

• A building of cooperation between young people and adults
• The acceptance of young people of an increased number of community responsibilities and subsequent recognition of youth capacity

If there is not yet a Red Cross Youth group or club in your school. You must request approval from the Head Teacher. The idea of forming a Red Cross Youth club would be a welcome addition to the extra-curricular activities of the school and should encourage support from the school management in terms of time and material assistance. The next step is to get in touch with the Youth Officer at your local Fiji Red Cross Branch or National Office and request a Registration Form.