Life For All Initiative - L.4.A

So so so true

Gambia, wake up!

- Over 70 babies died after consuming Indian-made cough syrups. Our politicians are not talking about it.

- Corruption in The Gambia is now widespread and extends to every sector from government to judiciary, police and health services. Our politicians are not talking about it.

- At the Dialysis Unit of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, patients are dropping dead like flies. Our politicians are not talking about it.

- Our public education system is collapsing. Our politicians are not talking about it.

- Our Gambian Dalasi has significantly depreciated against the CFA franc (Senegal). Our politicians are not talking about it.

- Food prices across the country are skyrocketing. Our politicians are not talking about it.

- House rents in Banjul, Kanifing Municipality and West Coast Region are going up. Our politicians are not talking about it.

- Many university students are struggling to pay their tuition fees. Our politicians are not talking about it.

- Thousands of families in the provinces are continuing to suffer from poor access to water. Our politicians are not talking about it.

- The Gambia is becoming the new epicenter of fraud in West Africa. Our politicians are not talking about it.

But right now, they are busy fighting each other through mudslinging and foolish accusations to win the local government elections. All they want is power and privileges, while ordinary Gambians (the voters) are suffering.

We have to stop the practice..

The continued practice of FGM/C and Child marriage is behaviour related and thus there is need to advocate for behavioural change using approaches such Positive deviant Approaches. The Positive Deviance approach is a community-based approach designed to identify solutions to community problems within the community. Communities and individuals are identified, selected and trained to address abandonment of FGM/C, Child marriage and teenage pregnancy. As part of activities, community advocates against harmful practices are recruited as positive deviants, trained and equipped with Inter Personal Communication skills (IPC) and Social Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) to effectively communicate with their fellow community members on what individual and collective actions can be taken to prevent and end the harmful traditional practice of FGM/C, Child marriage and Teenage Pregnancy in their communities.

To enhance better understanding and support from communities an orientation meeting was held with Village Heads, VDC Chairpersons, Deputy VDC Chairpersons, religious leaders, women and youth leaders and other significant individuals in the communities of Sandu Misera and Baja K***a in URR. This activity took place on the 1st of February 2022 for both Sandu Misera and Baja K***a in the Upper River Region. The primary objective was to harness local human resources to become actively engage in advocating, communicating and mobilizing people to change social norms. This particular process has the ability and can improve community participation, ownership, increase credibility and acceptance of the behavioural change programmes.

There is a foundation for YOUTH: It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life, and the lives of people you love. . When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY!!!

August 12th, was designated by the United Nations as International Youth Day to be celebrated by all United Nations members State. It's a day set aside to recognise the potentials and talents of young people as a diverse individuals group that plays a critical role in the socio-economic and political development of all nations. The day looks at the major issues confronting the youths and how best such could be addressed bringing together communities, government and international agencies.

The Theme for this year is: "TRANSFORMING FOODS SYSTEMS: YOUTH INNOVATION FOR HUMAN AND PLANETARY HEALTH"

It is worthy to mention that this year's theme is tailored to suit the current realities on the ground. The world is grappling with hunger as a result of the deadly pandemic, and therefore, there is a need for youth to be innovative for human Planetary Health.

We at the NYC are aware of the challenges that the youths are faced with, and it is based on this backdrop that we are committed to seeing that the Youth of the Gambia is not left behind when it comes to their affairs.

These challenges range from poverty, climate change, migration, unemployment and climate change just as it's stated by the 2030 Agenda. The challenges are enormous but not unsurmountable.

As the country prepares to go to the polls in December, we want to reiterate the need for the youth to maintain decorum before, during and after elections. We urge the youth to be involved in productive politics, for only us and us alone can develop this country!

On behalf of the Council, we wish all the youth in the Gambia and abroad a Happy International Youth Day 2021!

Fire outbreak at Darou Sunnah Boarding school in Nema Kunku village destroying nearly everything since late February. The management is hereby appealing to the Government, NGOs, philanthropist, to come assist in rebuilding the school. Since the outbreak, the students are unable to sleep well and their classes are yet to be normalised. Help put a roof back over their heads and help them start normal classes