President Adama Barrow on Monday launched the first ever life changing project dubbed: Youth Can!
The project is a 5-year national strategic plan 2023-2027 for SOS Children’ Villages Gambia in partnership with DHL – a logistic company.
The launching of the project was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara’s Conference Hall. It is aimed at supporting young people who have lost parental care or are at risk of losing it on a journey to decent work towards independent life.
The Youth Can! is a global project designed to empower young people through a theme: ‘Empowering Young People for Self-reliance’.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, President Barrow said SOS Children’s Villages has been collaborating with the government over 40 years now. “During those periods, they have complemented the government’s efforts by supporting vulnerable children, young people and families.”
“It is widely known that SOS villages provide access to essential services, such as protection, education and alternative care of children, who, either lost or are at risk of losing parental care,’’ he said.
“In fact this truly philanthropic group has supported the government in its desire to meet its national and global ties in various ways which have been achieved through the enactment of children and youth friendly laws or instruments in the country geared towards ensuring that young people have maximum protection and are empowered to grow and become responsible.”
Mr. Barrow further stated that significant progress has been achieved in terms of creating job opportunities for young people through youth empowerment projects among others.
President Barrow said that his government is aware of SOS’s efforts in the country and its services on the areas of alternative care and on projects and programmes that seek to empower youth in the country, strengthening families and women empowerment chain projects, which he said have positively impacted all regions of the country.
“It is vital that the Youth Can! project will support more than 500 young people with relevant skills in the next year across the country,” he stated.
He thus described the project as a laudable plan in ensuring young people realise their dreams, while calling on the private sector, civil society organisations, philanthropists and UN agencies to support the project.
“Share your time, expertise, and skills that will enhance collaborative lines and breakdowns related to social physical barriers that hinder progress,” he urged.
