Coach Tarie's Recommendations to the Recently Launched Youth Service Zimbabwe Program.

Nation building takes meticulous and intentional effort from a people with a selfless vision and conviction for the betterment of people.

This takes leadership that is ready to fulfill its major role that includes providing a conducive environment for people to thrive and maximise their potential. Every individual, family, organisation, or nation is as strong as the concepts and ideas they live by. Ideas have consequences. These can be positive or negative.

In the Zimbabwean context, one idea has been adopted, historically identified as the National Youth Service, but now rebranded to Youth Service of Zimbabwe. This program comes at a time when the government of Zimbabwe, as reported by the Herald, seeks to inculcate a culture of service, partriotism, constructive participation of youths in nation-building activities and the need to keep youths away from societal ills such as drug and substance abuse resulting fromidleness.

Recently, Zimbabwe launched its own National Youth Service program at an event presided by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the invitation by Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire. The event was held at Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in the Mashonaland East Province on the 24th of March.

The program comes with mixed feelings from the Zimbabwean populace as the previous version of the program also had mixed sentiments.

Coach Tarie's Recommendations to the Recently Launched National Youth Service Zimbabwe Program.

The program means Zimbabwe is joining a list of nations that have successfully implemented such initiatives.

The Significance of National Youth Service Programs:

National Youth Service programs serve as platforms for equipping young people with essential skills, values, and knowledge necessary for active citizenship and leadership roles. These programs not only contribute to the personal development of the youth but also foster a sense of national identity and unity. By engaging in community service, leadership training, and civic education, participants are prepared to become responsible and productive members of society.

Success Stories from Other Nations:

Several countries have implemented National Youth Service programs with remarkable success. For example, Singapore's National Service program has been instrumental in building a strong sense of national identity and unity among its citizens. The program provides young people with military training, leadership development, and community service opportunities, preparing them for future roles in the country's defense and governance.

In Rwanda, the National Youth Service program has played a pivotal role in post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. Through community service projects and skills training, young Rwandans have been empowered to contribute to the country's development and foster social cohesion.
 
Mexico Servicio Social, translating to social work in English, is a legal requirement for people receiving a college degree to do 480 hours of unpaid service to the community over the duration of their course.

It is also a good source of free help for social projects in many areas such as healthcare and generally the welfare of Mexicans.

Program Latihan Khidmat Negara is Malaysia's national service program. It is a three-month program that began in December 2003 by using an annual lottery to select 85,000 18-year-olds for military-style physical training and community service.

Each group has 60% ethnic Malays, 28% Chinese, 10% Indians and 2% others — a mirror of Malaysia's makeup — to promote patriotism and racial harmony.

Program Curriculum:

Looking at all the above, there is a different motivation to programming, which is determined by the different paths that the nations pursue. The writer is not well versed with the contents of the Youth Service Zimbabwe, but applauds the idea that can have nation-building consequences. As a development practitioner, the writer recommends the inclusion of the idea that he has been propagating for effectiveness in development initiatives. This is the idea of Purpose Driven Living, which he articulates as Living By Design.

Including Living By Design in National Youth Service Training Programs:

The concept of Living By Design, as captured in the upcoming book "Living By Design: Insights into Purpose Driven Living," can be integrated into National Youth Service training programs to enhance their impact on nation building. By emphasizing the importance of purpose-driven living, goal setting, and personal development, young participants can be inspired to make meaningful contributions to their communities and nation.

Service orientation requires commitment, and to tap into effective selfless service and maximising potential, there is a need to tap into the passion, values, gifts, and temperaments of the recruits. The discovery of such is the central theme of the book. Someone walking along the grains of their passion and temperaments will need little motivation to serve and bring out the best towards nation-building. They are also more likely to be innovative and resourceful if they are awakened for self-discovery and directed to live by design.

National Youth Service training programs are vital tools for nation-building and development, providing young people with the skills and values needed to become active and responsible citizens. The launch of Zimbabwe's National Youth Service program signifies a commitment to empowering the youth and fostering national unity. 

By drawing inspiration from successful examples around the world and incorporating concepts like Living By Design, these programs can continue to shape the future leaders of tomorrow and contribute to a prosperous and sustainable future for all.