4th KEYCDA Youth Leadership and Integrity Convergence opens in Kuloro

Kombo East Youth and Children Development Alliance (KEYCDA); the coordinating body of all youth and children affairs in Kombo East District, Saturday commenced its  4th Youth Leadership and Integrity Convergence at Kuloro Lower Basic School.

The synergy brought together young people from all the 33-villages of the district to discuss issues that have been affecting them and the society.

It is organised on the theme: Enhancing youth and Children participation in leadership and decision making process.

Part of the thematic areas to be discussed during the course of the convergence includes improving young peoples’ understanding of child protection and rights, leadership and management, sports and gender and girls empowerment.

Chairperson of the Alliance’s board, Omar Bah said the theme of the gathering is apt because they believe it will inspire young people and empower them to be effective participants in the decision making process within the Alliance and their communities to see lots of changes in the future.

Mr Bah challenged the participants to make the best use of the convergence, telling them that KEYCDA is a university of its own where young people can learn new life experiences.

He thanked Saama Kairo Federation for partnering with the Alliance despite some breakdown of communication between them. “I assure you that this new relationship will be well strengthened,” he said.

He also thanked the National Youth Council -NYC- for fully supporting the convergence.

The idea to establish KEYCDA was conceived by Pirang Fondinkeh Kambeng Kafo; a youth-led community based organisation in 2005, leading to its establishment the same year as the umbrella governing body of all youth and children affairs in Kombo East.

National Assembly Member for Kombo East, Lamin FM Contah said having an organisation like KEYCDA is a big plus and encouraged the young people to keep up the good work.

Executive director of NYC, Lamin Darboe, who was one-time the Alliance’s coordinator highlights some of the challenges the Alliance used to encounter during their time.

“I remember our first meeting was at Kuloro when we were about to come with this initiative. Things were very hard then but because of the young energetic people we have the initiative went on to be a success,” he said.

He commended young people of the district for their active roles in making sure that the Alliance remains alive and actively empowering their fellow young people.