Tallinding
Red Cross Link in partnership with ROJALNU on Saturday 4 March organised the
inter-school drama competition for upper basic schools, to showcase their
talent on the concept of family planning, “Yes to choice and No to choice” held
at the Alliance Franco.
Abdoulie
.M. Sanyang, on behalf of Tallinding Home Red Cross, said their link is a
component of the Gambia Red Cross Society through the Kanifing Municipality
Council Red Cross Branch.
The
home link is highly recognized for rendering humanitarian assistance and
service, he said, adding that their focus over the years, as youth volunteers,
was community services such as cleansing exercise and rendering relief aid
during disaster situations.
“The
inter-school drama competition is one of their main activities over the last
five years, and has engaged many junior secondary schools, which groom
potential young people in acting, public speaking and creativity.”
He
said the 5th edition was aimed at sensitization on the fundamental concept of
economic family planning and the Demographic Dividend, its significance in The
Gambia and Africa at large.
Lamin
Ceesay, executive director of ROJALNU, said this year is an implementing year
for ROJALNU, where their activities are centered on the Demographic Dividend
and Sustainable Development Goals.
He
said as an active youth group, it is necessary to support them because their
advocacy agendas are the same, adding that the inter-school drama competition
has gained momentum over the years.
He added that “Yes to choice and No to choice”
was launched by UNFPA last year, in which ROJALNU took an active part to ensure
that the campaign for family planning is highly understood by the people in
question.
Aminata
Jarju, president of Proactive Youth Organisation, said their role as an
organisation is to share knowledge on sexual reproductive health in the
society.
Idrissa
Manneh, branch officer for Red Cross Link KM Region, said he was grateful for the
contribution of youth volunteers in the Red Cross society, as the Red Cross is
well-known for grooming young talents.
Lamin
Darboe, executive director of National Youth Council, said human beings are the
only creatures who could be born in a circumstance and, given the opportunity
and alternative, to change their circumstance with knowledge and wealth.
“We
have the ability to think and transform our present situation and the lives
around us,” he said.