Young people should not allow setbacks to derail their ambitions but instead draw lessons from people who have overcome challenges to achieve their goals, Nisome campaign founder Joshua Edward has said.
Mr Edward said young people could use books to broaden their knowledge, develop skills and learn from the experiences of others as they work towards their own goals.
He made the remarks during training for local leaders in Mbeya aimed at strengthening their ability to encourage young people to develop a culture of reading.
According to Mr Edward, reading should be viewed not only as an academic activity but also as a way for young people to gain practical knowledge that can help them navigate economic and social challenges.
“Challenges should not make young people give up on their dreams. They can learn from people who have succeeded in the areas they aspire to reach,” he said.
He urged community leaders to promote reading among young people and create an environment where access to books and knowledge becomes part of everyday life.
Mr Edward said books could expose young people to different experiences and ideas, helping them understand how others dealt with challenges and built their careers and livelihoods.
The call comes as communities continue to look for ways of equipping young people with knowledge and skills that can help them take advantage of available economic opportunities.
Chairman of Ilindi Street in Ilemi Ward, Abdul Kilasi, said the training had helped local leaders gain a better understanding of issues affecting young people, including economic challenges.
“We have gained knowledge about economic issues and how young people can build their capacity to achieve the goals they have set for themselves,” Mr Kilasi said.
He said the knowledge gained from the training would be shared with the wider community, particularly young people, to encourage them to invest in learning and personal development.
Mr Kilasi added that strengthening a culture of reading could help young people broaden their understanding and make better use of opportunities available in their communities.
The training is part of efforts to encourage community-level initiatives that promote reading and access to knowledge among young people.