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 20^th YPM held the ‘Grand VICOBA Day’ to mark that specific International Day for Eradication of Poverty which is usually celebrated on 17^th 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 21^st September it is an international peace day celebration, Due to many YPM responsibilities this day was moved and celebrated on 25^th 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 10^th 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.

Students educated on Civil right and responsibility (S2C) this is ‘’subject to citizen’’

It was on May 13^th 2017 when YPM under the Advocacy and Environment Department started the debate competition that involved eleven Secondary schools in Lushoto district. The competition has brought up a number of so good talents, confident and focused youths. It will come to the final stage on 08^th/08/2017 in the competition to be held at YPM grounds.

The debate though on Environment focus has been the intentional plan to reach many youths and train and involve them in raising their awareness on the right and responsibility through the subject to citizen (S2C). During the debates, students were educated on civil right and responsibility (S2C) this is ‘’subject to citizen.’’ S2C is based on the YMCA African philosophy to bring self understanding and confidence to African Youths. This works against the feeling of contentment of many youths to remain subjects to their environment, community and general life. A subject is hereby known as the person who doesn’t know his/her rights and responsibility and the opportunity that surround him/her. But also do not know and if knows, then do not take responsibility to contribute towards a better life for him and her community. It is intended to bring all youths to understand their responsibility and fulfill them before standing to demand for rights that they are not ready to contribute into its making.

The final debate competition will involve Lushoto Sec Vs Kwemaramba Sec.

We expected to bring together 100 students who participated in the debate from the early stage together with their teachers. That will be 10 students in each school, environmental teachers, headmaster/mistress, Lushoto District Commissioner, Members of parliament from Mlalo, Lushoto and Bumbuli constituents and the Media.

During the debate competitions students got chance to know each other, build confidence, learn to build arguments and learn more on the environment as part of their preparations. The debate competition also led to teachers training on public debate format (PDF) because the debate was conducted through PDF style. This style is different from old style as it requires more research on motion involved to come up with argument and evidence also it judges on confidence of individual.

On finalizing this debate, all aforesaid points have shown the success through shared knowledge and raised awareness on the environmental issues to all participants alike.

YOUTH PEACE MAKERS TANZANIA TEAM IN EAST AFRICA CUP 2017 AT MOSHI

Youth Peace Makers Tanzania through its Sports and Games for development department gathered 25 youths from different places where YPM already run its activities for the camp at Rainbow School Irente as part of preparation for the E.A.Cup tournament which will be held at Moshi. This year, is the fourth time for YPM to prticipate in this tournament;  two groups i.e U16 boys football team and tensing group(Art group) will represent the organization.
The camp is mainly for U16 boys football team which started on 12 June 2017  and will take nine days until 21 June 2017 when the shortlisted team will be heading to Moshi for the competition. At the camp apart from football training youths also have been involved in class session to learn more about YPM programs. For the case of art group they continue with exercises three times a week around YPM office venue. Training about S2C, self reliance and strategy on how to fight against poverty will be provided. These are in line with goals No 1, 3, 16 and 17 of the SDGs.  This year number of participants for both individual and teams will be minimized due to shortage of funds but we thank God for YPM to be among those few organizations which have been invited to participate in the tournament.
YPM as an organization that support youths, receives the opportunity with honor. For us we know that it is very important to participate in such tournaments so as to promote the talents of youths and to advertise the organization at national and international level as well.

ENVIRONMENTR DAY 05TH JUNE 2017 LUSHOTO

On 5th June 2017 Lushoto District Council in Coraboration with Youth Peace Makers and Friends Of Usambara joining together to celebrate world environment day in Lushoto districts at Nyerere square.

Guest of honor in this event was the District Commissioner who sent his representative DAS in exercise.
Students from various schools in primary and secondary have participated for doing peaceful demonstration and carrying banners with different messages about environmental awareness as well as there were various groups of poem recited in alteration songs and drama.

YPM Staff and five schools of (Prince Klaus, Lushoto Secondary School, Irente Blind School, Mhelo and Yoghoi Primary) Planted more than 300 trees in the school compounds as a way to mark a World Environment Day.

Today 02^nd June 2017 we remember that Environment is a big issue in the world. In a day after United States of America declared to pull out from the Paris Climate Agreement or Paris Accord, YPM Staff and five schools of (Prince Klaus, Lushoto Secondary School, Irente Blind School, Mhelo and Yoghoi Primary) Planted more than 300 trees in the school compounds as a way to mark a World Environment Day. For us it is not Lushoto first as it is for Trump America first, for us it the World first for we are part of the World Citizens. We do believe what we do affect the whole world no matter how small, and what America does affects the whole world, unfortunately to a very big scale.

The peak of the World Environment Day will be on 05^th June 2017 of which YPM in collaboration with the Lushoto District Environment officers, schools and other NGOs will take part in officiating and sharing the message to work for the better environment. The event will be officiated by the District Commissioner of Lushoto.