Peace work in The Gambia, from youth to youth
5.12.2023
Kaisa Strömberg
Today, 5 December, is the International Volunteer Day. The work and contribution of volunteers is invaluable to the work of many NGOs.
Volunteers are also involved in implementing the Youth, Peace and Livelihoods Development Cooperation Programme in Finland and our partner countries. An active group of YMCA Peacemakers volunteers has been operating in The Gambia for a few years now. Jerreh, Momodou and Fatoumatta are actively involved in planning and implementing the group’s activities.
As in Finland, the Covid pandemic in The Gambia caused a volunteer shortage that is still being addressed. Finding committed young people is also a challenge because for many young people, working for free is not realistic. The priority is to get paid work, as this is needed to cover living expenses.
However, voluntary work by young people is also important in The Gambia. YMCA Peacemakers volunteers carry out grassroots advocacy work there. This means, for example, meeting young people in their communities and discussing peace, youth rights and the role of young people as peacebuilders in their communities. They also raise awareness of young people’s rights in order to strengthen their participation in decision-making.
Jerreh, Momodou and Fatoumatta recognise how important it is for young people to meet other young people who have experienced the same issues and with whom they can identify. For example, preventing irregular migration is more effective when volunteers share their experiences openly and honestly.
–You need to go to the communities and talk to the youth and tell the story; they comment when we discuss meeting young people and sharing their experiences. It is easier to build trust with someone who is struggling with similar challenges.
Volunteers also stress the importance of mental well-being in young people’s lives. Many young people in The Gambia struggle with mental health issues, which affects their ability to study, work and their future prospects. For example, the trio has considered implementing a mentoring programme as part of the YMCA Peacemakers activities, which would support young people in finding their own passion and achieving financial independence and empowerment.
When young people feel that their lives are meaningful, have an adequate income and are able to take care of themselves and their loved ones, hope and a positive outlook for the future are strengthened. This is also an important part of preventing, for example, irregular migration among young people in The Gambia.
A big thank you to all those who volunteer!
Contact us
Kaisa Strömberg
Programme Officer, YMCA Finland
kaisa.stromberg@ymca.fi
+358 41 544 8292
Nuoret, rauha ja toimeentulo -kehitysyhteistyöohjelmamme tavoitteena on parantaa paikallisia elinoloja sekä edistää nuorten toimeentulon mahdollisuuksia ja rauhantyön taitoja. Ohjelmaa toteutetaan YMCA-kumppanien kanssa Etiopiassa, Gambiassa, Keniassa, Libanonissa ja Palestiinassa 2022–2025. Ohjelma saa rahoituksensa Suomen ulkoministeriöltä.