Over one hundred youths from the rural part of the country recently attended a five-day emerging rural leader’s programme at a local hotel in Kololi organised by International Visitor Leadership programme in collaboration with the United States Embassy in Banjul.
The Theme of the Programme: “Invest in Rural Youths for Effective Nation Building’” with the aim of empowering the rural youths who are from the marginalised communities to develop their potential and create equal opportunities as those in the urban areas.
Alieu Jaiteh, President of Start Now thanked the participants for honouring the invitation which he said is the first training organised by the association to train hundred youths from across the country.
The International Visitors Leadership Programme, according to the president of the association aimed at promoting good governance, human right and democracy, saying over hundred people has benefited from the programme and are now contributing their quota to national development.
He commended the United States government through her embassy for their support and hope for greater partnership with the embassy in the future.
Shelly A Seaver, deputy chief of mission US Embassy, noted the United States has great interest in investing in the country particularly in the youths, noting that the training will unlock their potential to achieve their goals in order to become useful members in the society.
The US deputy chief of mission described the training as “a great opportunity for the rural youths to share ideas and chart way forward for their future”, while urging the participants to interact and share ideas during the training.