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In Zambia, young teenagers pull together in service program.

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SINAZONGWE DISTRICT, Zambia -- The Tonga tribe has lived in southern Zambia for hundreds of years, and members are proud of their long-standing traditions and strong social codes. But leaders say some of the customs are eroding--young people, for example, no longer seem to respect the elderly.

A new program involving hundreds of young teens of all backgrounds working in small groups may help change that--and simultaneously help the youngsters get along better with each other.

"The groups have started with helping old people in the community," said Siankuku Sabantu, a local fisherman. "This is something that sometime back was normal but in recent years has stopped. Now the youth have again started helping old people by drawing water for them, gathering firewood and cleaning their homes."

The groups are participating in a program sponsored by the Baha'i community here, which is itself part of a worldwide effort, to help young people aged 12 to 15--"junior youth"--make good moral choices in their daily...