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Youths gather to talk about their dreams and goals By LUCY ROSARIO
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Posted on Dec 31 1999
Organized by the Public School System and the Commonwealth Health Center, about 100 students from Saipan, Rota and Tinian gathered at Aqua Resort Wednesday to discuss how to achieve their goals and live their dreams.
The forum was envisioned to help young people build their skills and self-confidence and learn how to talk about their problems.
Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Inos and Esther Fleming of Board of Education attended the conference, as well as Moses Saburo who spoke about living with HIV virus. Sister Kathleen Sarmiento and David Rosario were also present in the conference.
“Were hoping to do skill building, teach the kids to say “no” to sex. We want to teach them to talk to someone in the community or to parents or peers or even partners about themselves and their problems,” said Reina Camacho, health educator at the Department of Public Health. “We want to strengthen their self-esteem, to let them know that their actions today affect their lives in the future. We also want to let them know that they are cared for.”
The organizers are hoping to do another conference in March and attract a bigger participation by students.
Ms. Camacho added: “We want this to be an eye-opener. We want the youths to know that it is okay to talk about the disease (HIV or STD), not to keep it to themselves. Refrain from sexual activity. It is also a learning alternative to staying home because the youths are on vacation.”
