52nd Youth Day: Youth village opened

A Youth Village has been opened this 1st February 2018 in the courtyard of the National Museum as part of commemorative activities ahead of the 52nd edition of the National Youth Day on 11th February 2018.

Every visitor to the site is greeted by roll-ups and flyers announcing and explaining services available for the youth.

Government Ministries and organistaions offering services to the youth are also exhibiting in the village. The services range from guidance counselling to physical, psychological and financial accompaniment, amongst others.

Somewhere around the entrance of the exhibition grounds, handmade jewellery are on display.

At one corner, traditional outfits and footwear are also displayed, encouraging the youth to be creative and self employed.

Locally transformed cash crops are also thrilling visitors. This is the case of  Humphreys Maswegho, a Lower Sixth student of a private secondary school in Yaounde who says he is impressed seeing how cocoa has been transformed into several products.

Audrey Delaty, another student heard about the fair from school authorities and decided to pay a visit so as to discover for herself. Her visit, she confirms, was worthwhile!

At the furthest end of the courtyard some primary and secondary school students are gathered. Their excitement is visible as they play in small groups and pose for group pictures and selfies.

Others listen to explanations from the organisers of the fair.

Somewhere in a quiet corner, an educative talk is going on under a tent surrounded by boards with messages from the Ministry of Public Health, calling for behavioural change in relation to certain dangerous practices common amongst the youth.

The exhibition village is yet to gain affluence this first day and some stands are still being set up but the organisers stay positive as they hope more people will come visiting as the days unfold.

Exhibitions at the Youth Village are expected to continue till 11th February 2018.

It is an initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education aimed at bringing the youth together to exchange ideas, share experiences, discover their potential and learn new things.

Activities at the exhibition grounds will also include workshops, mini concerts and a prize award ceremony.

Eleanor Ayuketah