Caravane NON A LA TERREUR!

A Report of the “No To Terror” Caravan’s Participation at the Cameroon Youth Forum (CYF) Buea. (Monday 18^th- Friday 22^nd July 2016)

The ‘’No To Terror’’ caravan team took part in the 8^th edition of the Cameroon Youth Forum in Buea. This event that was organized by the Zenu Network was from Monday 18^th to Friday 22^nd July, 2o16. The five days event that was attended by close to 300 participants was under the theme; ‘’Youths and Security Challenges”. Based on the pertinence of the theme of this forum, the caravan was at the center of the activities of the event.

Major Activities/Achievements of the Caravan during the Forum

An exchange with participants on the theme; ‘’My Vulnerability, My Strength’’. This exchange that took place on the second day of the event was based on a cartoon projection which presented a group of three friends with different dreams. As these youths grew mature, they encountered a number of challenges which pushed them into doubting their abilities to achieve their dreams… This short presentation was aimed at guiding the youths in identifying their vulnerabilities and transforming them into potential strengths. Though a good number of the youths were reticent to the activity, some were able to open up. Among such youths was this Muslim girl who denounced the fact that she was being stigmatized at school by her teachers and class mates. Through  this medium of exchange that was done in collaboration with the World Dynamics of Young People (WDYP), the Zenu Network and the Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Youths and Civic Education, youths saw the importance of being tolerant towards one another and to adopt a positive and peaceful  attitude even when everything seems bad.

Furthermore, the caravan made youths to individually engage themselves for peace. This was done via the ‘’Say Something about Peace’’ workshop. This activity that was actually initiated for the first time in Buea required that interested participants pay 500fcfa each to have their portraits made, then they were expected to directly engage themselves in ensuring that peace reigns wherever they find themselves.  Close to fifty (50) youths adhered to this activity, though many were only interested in having their portraits made and nothing else. It is worth noting that the money paid for the portraits were handed to the local artists of Buea so as to encourage their efforts.

In addition to the above, the “No To Terror” caravan provided a platform for youths to showcase their talents and equally to expose their plights. Firstly, thanks to the caravan, local artists and other participants were able to proof their worth in art work and in the fight against insecurity in the country and beyond via inspiring messages. On the other hand, some youths felt they could express their plights and frustrations through the “Free Style” workshop of the caravan. For instance, a youth from the Far North Region of the country called Hassansiti Nichola described the state of his village ‘Kolofata’ in painting. The sight of his artwork touched the team emotionally that we decided to write an article about him; which is due to be published.

The team of the caravan also did an all-round communication of the event via the social media and the traditional media. The event was constantly being communicated upon on Facebook as well as on the website of the caravan. The caravan also gave an interview to the regional station of the CRTV on what the project is all about and how it has been achieving it objective of making youths conscious of the role they have to play in the fight against insecurity in the country and beyond.

In all, the “No To Terror” team was quite united and worked consciously in the course of the mission at the Cameroon Youth Forum (CYF) in Buea. Consequently, one can say that the mission was successful as the youths were sensitized on the need to consider values like peace and tolerance in every situation. The team was also able to get the contacts of talented youths in the discipline of art, as well as the contacts of potential partners before the forum officially ended on Friday 22^nd 2016.