Demo Youth Association on nutrition and health

Friday, May 9, 2008
With the daily proliferation of youth organisations in the country, it is seldom that one sees urban based organisations consisting of youth predominantly from the provinces. But hardly, if it actually happens, do we hear such organisations going back to their origin, as part of their operational mandate. Well, this is exactly what the Demo youth organisation is doing.

Consisting of members mainly drawn from Kudang in Nyamina East (but not limited to that village), the association seeks, among its aims, to focus on enlightenment of their kinsmen back home.

In the first ever major activity they have embarked upon since after the transformation of their operational mode, the association recently went on a three day sensitisation program in the village of Kudang, in Nyamina East. According to Lamin Y ceesay, the vice president of the association, the sensitisation program brought together people from within Kudang and its surrounding villages, including Jafai, Morid and Sotokoi.

The sensitisation program, according to Mr Ceesay, was aimed at sensitising the people of the area on basic nutritional requirement, as well as the significance of breastfeeding. With training support from the national nutritional agency (NANA), members of the association exclusively sponsored their trip, all by themselves, all the way to the village.

Mr Sutay Njie, a staff of the international charity organisation, Action Aid the Gambia, who is the advice of the association, expressed delight about the foresightedness of the youth in coming up with such an initiative, He implored the beneficiaries to take advantage and learn from their brothers and sisters, and he appealed to them for their continued support in ensuring that the association succeeded in its mission.

Mr Baboucar Dampha, a student at the University of the Gambia, who is also a member of the association, made a flip-chart presentation on nutrition and health and balanced diet. The Information and public relation officer of the association, Mr Sarjo Touray, gave a talk on the relevance of locally produced food crops in the promotion of a balanced diet.

Other speakers included Mr Edrisa Ceesay, a member and a resident of the village, who is a teacher at the villager’s school, Mr Ebrima Ceesay, the President of the association, among others. The program was punctuated by drama performances and dances.



Author: DO