(Kaka planting trees at the youth centre)
Hundreds
of youth now gather at the centre everyday to meet one another, escape from negative
social influences, and engage in constructive activities. Providing a space and
positive environment where younger generations can grow has been the biggest
reward of all.
When looking back from
where it all started, it seems miraculous the
progress that has been made. Thousands of hours were spent writing emails,
proposals, concept notes, editing videos and photos, all with the goal
of promoting youth development. The hours spent outside in the hot sun banging
away with hammers, saws, shovels, digging through tons of municipal waste to
clear land for the centre (and finding some of the most horrific things
imaginable) in order to transform ideas into reality. It was all worth it. As
Kaka, the community leader of Mlango Kubwa says: "Even if I die, this
centre will still be here to help the community.”
(Youth built ‘Slum Soccer’ on reclaimed public
space in Mathare)
Around the world,
young people are in their communities trying to foster leadership, bring
development and create a future where the young have a sense of hope.
In Peru, hundreds of
youth load onto buses only to get dropped off at a basketball court where they
choreograph amazing dances and forget about the difficult conditions and
challenges they face while growing up. In Palestine, they hold art therapy
classes in a refugee camp where teenagers depict the army coming at night to
arrest the entire family and burn the house down. In Rwanda, rural youth turn
up in the thousands to engage in 'Umuganda' where they spent the day cleaning
and landscaping their community.
Unfortunately, nowadays,
it's almost impossible for young people to go anywhere or do anything if they don't
have money to spend. But, unless community spaces have the right leaders inside,
the spaces remain just that, space. How the character of thousands of young
people, congregated in an open field, can be transformed so positively, goes to
show that space isn’t as important as the activities themselves.
(Members of MECYG)
Just to give some
perspective: there are 1.8 billion youth living in the world today-the majority
in low-income countries. 200 million do not attend high school. In Mathare, 60% of young people are unable to finish
high school. The lack of educational opportunities creates a population of
youth who reluctantly languish in poverty without hope for the future. Over 30%
are unemployed and the 45% who are self-employed face economic uncertainty. These
young minds, who have the power to change the world, are left to fight for survival
in extremely difficult conditions.
Young people need access to
training and programs in order to transform their adventurous and innovative
ideas into positive community change. Opportunities for skill development, certified
educational programs, guidance and expertise would not only improve their economic
livelihood, but would benefit the most vulnerable members of the community and
society as a whole.
(Youth event at Slum Soccer)
Youth deserve a seat at the
fore front of every social sector from technology to governance, from sports to
health care. Including their participation in building the fabric of society, will
help raise generations of proud and thoughtful community members who, instead
of feeling like a burden on society, will make a positive impact. As we
continue to help these positive spaces grow, it’s imperative to appreciate the
capacity of the bright minds who are more than capable of becoming the leaders
and change makers of today and tomorrow. Because youth are 25% of the world,
but are 100% of the future.
Watch the new MECYG video!
(Nathaniel Canuel is a
Nairobi based Youth Activist and Videographer who has been building youth-led
spaces and covering youth development for over 10 years)
wazi msee
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