by Mark and Barbara Hugo, South Africa
16 May 2006

	Mark Hugo with the Maele Family Centre running club

"Role Models for Life" is the slogan at the Maele Family Centre. The youth here have no or very poor role models. Parents seem to have very little involvement or interest in what is going on in their children's lives. They also struggle in the area of developing friendships and sexuality. We are encouraged to see potential youth leaders coming to Mark at the center for advice and encouragement. Mark has befriended boys near our home and at the running club nearby.

Some youth here who believe in Christ have started a multi-denominational body they call "Agape Youth Movement." They have included Mark in many levels of their planning. Thirty young people made a commitment to abstinence until marriage at the inauguration. We are praying for wisdom in how to equip and support their decisions.

We are focused on one troubled school in our area this year. We've had a strong desire to be involved with life-skills education at this school for a long time. We occasionally have been able to share in classes and assemblies, but in 2006 God has allowed Mark to help the school with a huge need.

The Department of Education turned down a request for additional mathematics teachers, leaving the school with only one teacher to teach three grades with 12 classes. Mark has volunteered to teach grade seven math to help meet their need, and at the same time he has a huge opportunity to come alongside the youth, earning the right to be heard. Mark has been co-opted onto a local forum to help look into the current spate of suicides particularly amongst the youth. They want him to research what is troubling our youth, and what makes them consider suicide an option.