By Olivia Kamusiime.
Seventy students have today graduated as Para Counsellors. The event happened on Saturday, March 26, at the Ruth Nkoyoyo Wellness Centre at Uganda Christian University. (UCU) The function was graced by Rev Henry Majwala, the assistant Chaplain of UCU.
Majwala encouraged the graduates to go light the candles in the darkness. He also implored the graduates to seek out the hopeless people, especially the ones that are depressed.
“Your role as Para Counsellors is to go and mend the broken hearts as Jesus bound the broken hearts.” Says Majwala.
He (Majwala) said that knowledge received through this training is the spirit that they have been given to ignite candles to light the world.
According to Irene Ojambo, the head of department Ruth Nkoyoyo Wellness Center has said this training takes ten days whereby nine days are for training and the tenth day for graduation.
“These students are certified by the University’s counselling department and the Directorate of Students Affairs. (DOSA),” she added.
She (Ojambo) encouraged para counsellors to take up leadership positions in the University. However, this training this time did not involve any staff member.
The para counsellor’s syllabus has four cores which included Self-awareness, Basic skills in counselling, basic counselling ethics. Through this training, students come up with addictions cross-cutting in their interactions.
The students were divided into seven groups for effective training for example The Great minded people, Gallant people, Miracle group, Anointed elites, Satisfiers and many more.
Namanda Valeria Patricia pursuing a Bachelor of Laws in her second year is one of the graduates who joined the training with a passion for learning how to help people. With the knowledge from this training,
“I’m going to start an organization to help the youth who have been affected negatively by the pandemic,” said Namanda
She says that her organization will aim at helping people who have failed to finish their academics due to the pandemic effects and also the oppressed.
“I have attained skills of helping myself and encouraging my fellow students. I will continue to spread the Gospel.” Says Mark Mulumba doing Law in year two.
He has appreciated the UCU counselling department for equipping him with counselling skills.
