Happy Youth Club hosts Open Day |14 November 2022
Did you know that the Happy Youth Club located opposite the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Victoria has been in existence for more than 50 years?
Last Saturday, the Club hosted an open day with youth from different schools where they learned of the different games that can be played at the club.
George Volcère, secretary general of the Happy Youth Club, noted that in September the Happy Youth Club celebrated its 59th anniversary. It opened its doors in 1963 and Mr Volcère has been a member of the club since 1971/1972.
“Happy Youth Club was originally founded to help the youth stay away from bad influences and at that moment there were no hard drugs etc. Its main objective is to provide the youth with a safe and secure place to come meet each other and play together. Unfortunately, we have not been getting many members thus we decided to revive the spirit.”
To become a member the applicant should fill in a form. “With the current situation, as we want younger people to join the club, we have to control who will be admitted to the club through a disciplinary committee. Your attitude and behaviour are very important. The new ‘potential’ member should come to the club for three months before becoming a formal member,” explained Mr Volcère.
We spoke to two youth who came to the club for the first time – Danisha Marcel, 19 years and Ishmael Lavigne, 13 years.
“It is the first time I come to this club and I even got lost on my way here. I got the invitation at school and our teacher told us about the different games that can be played within the club. I knew how to play domino and today I tried dart. I am all set to become a member of the club as it is a safe place for young people to hang out,” shared Danisha.
Ishmael also got to know about the club through an individual. “I did not know about the club and the games here. After practicing some darts, I also want to join the club…”
Currently the Club offers indoor games such as domino, dart, snooker. To become a member the first yearly payment is set at R400 and Happy Youth Club has more than 100 members. They also rent the place to generate finance to sustain the building.
Our selection of photos show the youth practicing the various games available at the club.
Vidya Gappy
Photos: Joena Meme
