By Sulayman Ceesay
Next Generation Foundation in partnership with Regional Youth Committee of Upper River Region (URR) is committed to end child marriage and teenage pregnancy in the region.
The youth committee with funding from the Next Generation organized a day long sensitization workshop for 30 adolescent from schools within the region.
The workshop was aim at sensitization the young people on the bad effects and implications associated with child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
Muhammed Ceesay, regional youth chairperson, URR said they will not relent in the course of fighting against the practices of child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
“It is an alarming issue in our region and as youth we will do all it takes to stand against it at all times,” he said.
He said young people are mostly affected by these practices and is them who can also stand and fight against the practice.
Lamin Saidykhan, program manager, Next Generation Foundation said the foundation provides support to the future leaders through education, consultation and scholarships.
He said: “We believe the future holds great promise for the next generation. We see a generation that makes enormous contributions to the world, and to their communities- if given the chance.
“We believe every single youth matters and that once they are given food, clothing and shelter, there is no better way to break the poverty cycle than education.”
He said the foundation is fully committed to supporting young people in the fight against early marriage and teenage pregnancy.
“People help people; we should therefore support matters that will ensure the future leaders acquires knowledge, capacities, skills and ethical values needed for development, good governance, peace and social inclusion,” he said.
He expressed his foundation’s willingness in working with RYC to support their work for young people of the Gambia especially on crucial matters that are directly affecting the life of youths towards a meaningful development.
He encourages participants to take the workshop seriously and be ready to take the lead in the fight, saying they are the most vulnerable and directly affected.
Mr. Foday Danjo, Chairman, Basse Area Council described the event as very timely and important in the life of young people.
He expressed sincere gratitude to the foundation for their support, while pleading for them to give more support to increase the number of participants to participate in such a workshop that will go a long way in contributing to the development of the region and the country at large.
He assured the RYC for his office continuous support and assistance in the course of the campaign in the region.
