The Community Development Unit (CDU) of Future in Our Hands (FIOH) recently concluded a five day youth caravan bantaba in five different communities of Darsilami, Nyawurulung, Misira, Njolfan and Sare Sarjo in Lower River Region (LRR).
The aim of the youth bantaba as the name implies, was geared towards creating a centre (forum) for young people of the nation, provide them the opportunity to discover and discuss issues disturbing them in life with the overall objective of eradicating poverty, and to raise their voice.
 The bantaba which serves as the trying position to discover the talents of the youth came up as a measuring tool to gauge the understanding of youth on topical issues.
 The programme which attracted community participation throughout the entire five day caravan drew its facilitators from members of the communities where it was conducted.
   Amongst the topics that were discussed were illegal migration, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, Gender, HIV/Aids, female circumcision, youth and education, Girls Education, youth in development/youth participation, youth and drug, youth unemployment, Environment and conflict.
 In his statement across the region of LRR during the bantaba, Mr. Babucarr Camara,   senior programme officer of CDU told   participants that the objective of the programme was to make youth to be aware of their own problems and come out with appropriate solutions.
He added, “This activity will serve as a tool in the process of eradicating poverty. Young people form the majority of the country`s population and are the most vulnerable group, that`s why it is important for them be heard and felt.”
Speaking at Missira Village in LRR, Mr. Omar Cham, environment specialist at CDU, said the program creates the opportunity for youth to be aware of their environment.
 Alimatou Marong, project officer and a gender specialist at CDU, advised   participants to be attentive during sessions and make good use of anything discussed.  
The village heads and village development communities (VDC) chair persons and women leaders expressed their sincere appreciations to FIOH for creating such a great opportunity for the youth.
The bantaba, which is the second edition under FIOH project to be ever conducted in LRR, was facilitated by Mohammed Lamin Fatty, youth and sport regional coordinator LRR and Mamadou Cham (MC) from Tabajang.
The first edition was held in Tabajang Jimara, in URR in 2009.