YPM Celebrates the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty


This year 2018, marks the 25th anniversary of the declaration by the General Assembly, resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992, marking 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
           On Saturday, October 20th YPM held the ‘Grand VICOBA Day’ to mark that specific International Day for Eradication of Poverty which is usually celebrated on 17th October. The occasion saw more than 350 delegates who were representatives of two to five members coming from part of the YPM VICOBA groups for network building, exchange of ideas and celebrating the success of those who have been committed to fighting poverty and bringing new hope in life through forming groups in the past four years.
In marking the International Day for Eradication of Poverty, the representatives managed to share their success stories and the mile stones in their lives. The VICOBA has made their stories of eradicate poverty a reality despite challenges facing them. It has given them confidence to stand for what is justice and demand it where denied within families, couples, villages and communities. Through economic stability they have tried to live the words of the UN General Secretary that “…ending poverty is not a matter of charity but a question of justice." http://www.un.org/en/events/povertyday/
The official guest of honor was the District Commissioner who was represented by Joyce Israel, the head of Development department in the Lushoto District Council. She emphasized on the importance of joining hands to see that our communities are set free from the oppression caused by extreme poverty. She acknowledged and hailed the work of YPM in which it has helped a good number of families to come a step away from despair. She was happy to see how a number of participants share their hopes to be counted as new new rich from the ditch of poverty.  She further congratulated the specific program of VICOBA to have elaborately bring into life the 2018 theme that says “Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity”
On marking the day, there were special speeches given by a number of organizations such as NSSF (National Social Security Fund), NMB Bank, NHIF (National Health Insurance Fund) on their services and what they can offer to the members. That was followed by a number of questions for further understanding from the audience.
At the climax of the event YPM awarded the facilitators who succeeded in establishing many groups as compared to others. These were the runner up Mr. Vicent Dastan Paul who managed to organize more than 12 groups. The first and thus record holder was Mr. Wilson Joseph Dereva who formed more than fifty groups. They were awarded a medal and certificates of appreciation to the magnificent work. All others who managed to form any number of groups were also awarded a certificate of recognition of their work.

“The Right to Peace – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70”


On 21st September it is an international peace day celebration, Due to many YPM responsibilities this day was moved and celebrated on 25th Sept 2018. It was attended by the Tensing team with the YPM football team, Computer class kids and the staff.
Tahona Godfrey and Elias Adrian YPM volunteers were involved in running the whole exercise by explaining the importance of peace on earth and asking questions to some of the participants. The importance of the day was manifested through brief speeches from participants on how each of us has a role to play so as to enjoy peace. The words reflected the importance of Right to peace to all people. As youth in Africa they shared on a number of countries where peace is a farfetched reality, but also how many youths suffer violence through being forced into conflict and war tone areas. They see how peace is the ingredient for justice and human rights to all. The words echoed the message for the day given by the General Secretary of UN Antonio Guterres on marking the International Peace Day. As he says “It is time all nations and all people live up to the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human race. This year marks the 70th anniversary of that landmark document.” -- Secretary-General António Guterres
As Youth Peacemakers we join the world in celebrating and even more putting emphasis on the importance of peace as one of the basic and important ingredient for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Youths under YPM are involved in a number of activities in Schools, Colleges and general life walks with peace as a guiding compass for success. It has been witnessed through the stories that were shared by the football players that they have been wining different trophies at their level to the point that now they will represent the district to the FA CUP in Tanga region. The secret has been working for peace, living peacefully and sharing peace even to opponents in their competitions. The same is needed to all people of the world. We need peace to each individual so as to enjoy the God given creation. Justice is fundamental for Peace, but the true provider of Justice should be raised in peaceful circumstances—YPM envision provision of peace platforms to youth and community members to be able to see justice throughout our communities.
The event was colored with training on S2C (Subject to Citizen), Brief explanations of Importance of VICOBA to Youths economic initiatives and various games like pulling a rope, a coca cola drinking competition, the fun learning activities on dependence and need of one another as well as a volleyball contest.
Through this event we believe the participating youths have gained an opportunity to appreciate the importance of peace in the world but will also use the talents and opportunities they have to invest and work for peace so as to set platforms for achieving their dreams.
                                                                        








     “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” Mathew 5:9

YPM CONDUCTED DEBATE COMPETITION FINALS IN DISTRICT LEVEL 2018.


YPM TZ conducted debate competition which involved 55 schools in Lushoto District with a total 615 of students (Female 339 Male 276)
This Debate competition started since February 2018 by forming a committee of five members one from YPM staff and four teachers from different schools as team of coordinators.

The debate involved various educational stakeholders and has involved all secondary schools in Lushoto District Council and some six schools from the Bumbuli Councils.
The competition also included the Public Debate Format (PDF) training for all English teachers at Secondary Schools established by the Youth Peacemakers Tanzania.
On 10th August, 2018 YPM in celebration of the International Youth Day conducted Debate Competition Finals at the District level which was held at Shambalai Secondary School hall. The District Commissioner of Lushoto was the guest of honor, whereby other stakeholders such as the District Executive Director, the District Education Officer, Ward Education Officers Radio Utume and the community were invited to take part in the occasion. The District Commissioner was represented by the Lushoto Division Officer.
In running this competition, the following benefits were attained by the participants:-
1.     Students were trained on S2C (Subject to Citizen) which is one of the methodology used by YPM to create the sense of responsibility, duty and rights among youths as community members.
2.      Learners gained wider knowledge in the course of preparation for the bigger event. They consulted, discussed and read different sources to acquire evidence and supporting points for their arguments.

3.     Students develop self-confidence and ability to present their topics in front of people from different caliber.

4.     They got exposure by travelling from one school to the other in carrying on with the competition at different levels.

5.     Learn more English language that was used at all levels in the debate, not because Swahili is not important but as a way to build skills on the media of learning used at Secondary Education.

6.     Students created network, partnership and peer to peer relations.

7.     More than 40 teachers were able to attend and learn new technics and methodology of conducting the PDF debate.
Despite these benefits we have also met the following as follows;
1. Some schools did not participate fully in the competition, without crucial reasons.
2. Financial challenges was a major challenge especially during inter schools competition at Ward levels, where students presenting one ward were required to meet another ward.
3. The students seem to lack strategies for preparing themselves as best presenters and give strong evidence to support their arguments.
 4. Many students are unaware of the Public Debate Format (PDF)
Future Plans
1.     We are looking forward to
a.     Conducting debates that will be involving all existing Secondary Schools in the Lushoto and Bumbuli Council.
b.     Running a competition that will involve all Secondary Schools in the Tanga Region (Inter district level)
c.      Finding effective representatives who will represent us in various issues at the National and International levels.
Based on so many direct and indirect profitable benefits in this competition, YPM requests cooperation from various stakeholders to enable the competition to succeed 100% for future years by facilitating us in the following issues.
1.     Assistance in transport and food for students especially from inter-ward level.
2.     Support the improvement of gifts to bring more motivation to students
3.     Intensified Public-Private Partnership in this sector through involvement of our Councils(Lushoto and Bumbuli) in improving the competition.
4.     Ideas to make the competition attractive, educative and empowering.

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