Arctic Bay (Mar 03/03) - Lorna Oqqallak says when she was young, she used to play outside all the time. There was no place to just hang out, there was no mall, no theatre.

Today, Oqqallak thinks kids need more things to do in her community of Arctic Bay.

With this in mind, Oqqallak makes her way to work six days a week at the Makuktunait Youth Friendship Centre in Arctic Bay.

"They play games, they watch movies and I supervise them," said Oqqallak. She's been the centre's assistant co-ordinator since last November. There are three people working at the centre right now. Although Oqqallak admits applying and accepting the job because it was the only one available, she's happy to be working with youth.

"It was the only job available that I knew so I applied and they hired me," she explained.

Oqqallak is 19 years old and has not travelled much outside of her community. She said the people of Arctic Bay are very kind and friendly. She said that's what she likes about it.

Her goal, for now, is to keep the Friendship Centre popular. She hopes it becomes a place where youth feel comfortable and have a good time.

Oqqallak has helped organize several fundraisers to make things more exciting at the centre. She's trying to get some new supplies like games, books and videos.

Oqqalak knows she's not much older than a lot of the people who come into the centre and thinks it's a positive thing. She can relate to the youth, have fun at work and make sure things are kept under control all at the same time. One day, she hopes the community will have more things to keep the youth busy.

"Maybe an arcade would be fun," she said.