Kenya YMCA has taken up the challenge of engaging young people to re-awaken their participation. This was proved when over 72 youth gathered for the inaugural youth convention at the National Camp from 3-6 Dec 2009 in Naivasha, Kenya.
Being the first of its kind, the concept ‘From Subject to Citizen’ come in handy as a way of enlightening this great future.
We used a similar methodology to that we did at the Youth Summit. Anthony and I took them through crises identification to come up with possible ways of countering these crises. The youth were really excited to realize that it is through advocacy and awareness, that they can claim their rightful space and use their voice and ability to help youth in this country.
Advocacy came out as the best approach, but for a start the youth agreed to create awareness at their respective branches. This was agreed after they watched the Kenya Burning documentary from the Summit.
After four days of a journey of discovery, the youth adopted this concept and unanimously agreed to keep the fire burning. Out of the 78 young people, 64 youth during the evaluation commented this approach was the only way to change the face of YMCA and Kenya. “I thought and always believed that we young people can not change this society but now I know and believe that it is me to change first,” said Diana of Nairobi branch.
As a mean of commitment, young people selected 12 focal persons who will be the link people to various branches. They will monitor the Kenya progress, and we will also have branch and regional follow ups by the ambassadorship team.
And this is the way to move forward!
Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Fire
(In the photo above, Anthony is facilitating the advocacy session)
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