Day of the African Child: Youth Outreach Programme celebrates young talents in Bamenda.

The event aimed at celebrating children and youth from the region, as they commemorate the 2024 Day of the African Child. 

Activities of this year's celebration included a three-day workshop with children and youth from the region, 14 kilometre cross country race and the final celebration on June 16, involving dancing competition and the fashion design category.

According to the Programme Coordinator of YOP, Omer Songwe, the celebration involved youth and children because they wanted the youth to tell their own stories and celebrate the day, which is set aside for them.

"The objective we have is to get young people and children to participate in the celebration of this day of the African child. It's a day that African children are celebrated and we think that it is key for them to participate. So, whatever activity we do that is extremely crucial, getting children and youth to participate in the activities," Omer Songwe said.

Winners of the race, which included both senior and junior athletes, bagged home prizes from 100,000 FCFA to 25,000 FCFA. 

Meanwhile, in both the dancing and fashion design categories, winners went home with prizes from 200,000 FCFA to 100,000 FCFA plus a plaque. Other participants who took part in the workshops also went back home with certificates of participation.

Participants hail YOP

After taking part in the activities, Chwefung Vanessa, who won the traditional dance competition with the Zion Dance Group, appreciated YOP for celebrating the day with them and for rewarding them.

"We practiced before coming here. When I got here I saw other dance groups and we had confidence in ourselves and behold we won. I am really happy; I like the programme and it's a good initiative," Chwefung said.

At the close of the celebration, the Programme Coordinator of YOP, Omer Songwe, also revealed that the organisation is looking at expanding activities of the competition in such a way that children can participate in all the categories.

It should be noted that this year's Day of the African Child was celebrated under the theme "Education for all children in Africa: The time is now".

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3143 of Wednesday June 19, 2024