A nation-wide food shortage in Zimbabwe resulting from government mandated price controls didn’t hinder an Adventist youth training conferences for delegates from five Southern Africa countries last month.

Two months ago the Zimbabwe government ordered 50 percent price cuts to fight inflation. Stores soon sold out of products and restaurants were able to offer only three items from an extensive menu, said Dr. Kathleen Kuntaraf, associate Health Ministries director for the Adventist world church and leader of the Youth Alive training conferences. Organizers bought food in the neighboring country of Botswana for the 350 delegates attending the six-day conference that wrapped up September 1.

“I was touched by the generosity of the volunteers,” Kuntaraf said. A local church Women’s Ministries group prepared meals for participants over wood-burning fires and charged a minimal amount. The proceeds were donated to a church school building project the group adopted.

Though Zambia was about four miles away, a 280-mile trip for cheaper food and supplies in Botswana proved less expensive, said Dr. Alexis R. Llaguno, Health Ministries director for the church’s Southern Africa-Indian Ocean region.

Zimbabwe was chosen to host the seminar for its central location to better accommodate delegates from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.

Youth Alive is based on the original Adventist Youth-to-Youth program created by Dr. Patricia B. Mutch of the world church’s Health Ministries department for creating positive peer influences. It was re-launched in 2001 under its new name with a cooperative effort from the church’s Family, Health, Youth and Education departments.

Youth Alive rules don’t allow putdowns—no demeaning talk. The kids are divided into “friendship groups” of no more than 12 members. Games are cooperative, not competitive.

Kuntaraf said research has shown that teenagers with “connectedness to God and to one another” are less likely to get involved with drugs, alcohol, pornography and other at-risk behaviors.

“Information about the effects of drugs is not enough,” Kuntaraf said. “The kids know drugs are bad, but what do they do when they feel lonely or dejected? This program connects them with others so they feel supported.”

The biggest challenge she and other church leaders have noted is the turnover rate of youth leaders in church administrations around the world. Kuntaraf has led the training more than 20 times in each of the church’s 13 divisions.

The Adventist Church in Botswana will soon host their own Youth Alive workshop based on the training they received from the event in Zimbabwe, Llaguno said. He hopes the program is developed in local schools.