SAAMASANG Federation in collaboration with their partners and other stakeholders in the West Coast Region held the 2011 Youth and Children Forum at the Women’s Federation in Brikama to discuss issues affecting the lives of the young people with the theme Attitudinal Change to Combat Drug and Crime for Sustainable Development.
The Forum that brought about sixty young people is aimed at promoting the welfare of the young population in the area and other parts.
In his introductory remarks, the Secretary-General of the Association Dembo Kambi told the gathering that the Forum is part of the annual commemoration in which the young people share their thoughts with the authorities. Kambi stated that SAAMASANG Youth and Children Development Association (SAYCDA) was formed in 2006 and legally registered at the Attorney General’s Chambers at the Ministry of Justice of the Gambia under the companies’ Act of 1955. The Association according to him serves as a means of bringing young people together to work towards their own development. Its mission is to inspire youth and children to socially and economically empower themselves and become agents of change in their own lives creating a more equitable society. “SAYCDA is affiliated to SAMASANG Federation a CBO operating in Kombo Central district which is also affiliated and supported by Child-Fund The Gambia.” Taking cue of its affiliate, SAYCDA aims at achieving-Healthy and Secured Infants, Educated and Confident Children and Skilled and Involve Youth.
  It is hoped that the attainment of the aforesaid will create a society that is self sustained both socially and economically.
Like its affiliate, SAYCDA has five grassroots areas referring to them as Community Associations (CAs). The five are Bafuloto CA, Kabafita CA, Jamisa CA, Darsilami CA and Penyem CA. Each of these CAs is also divided into clusters. The division is yearned at enhancing all inclusive and effective youth and children participation and representation from the grassroots. It also enhances chronological descending of information and other benefits to the grass root and vice versa.
Kambi further implored that SAYCDA organizes annual Youth Forum as a medium of bringing people together and unifying them under identified functional and productive groups. The activity brings together youth and children from SAYCDA and other youth/children organization and partners in youth development in the district and the outside to learn and share, discuss issues affecting young people and map out solutions and strategies to them. Sponsor Relations is at the center of the discussion. Competent resource persons are invited to talk on certain topics of concern. The forum also serves as a platform for CAs to report on the current year’s activities and further present action plans for the next year. It also characterized by cultural and drama performances, talent shows and sporting activities among others.
The annual forum is part of the Youth Empowerment Project an objective of which is “By June 2012, youths in Kombo Central Unified under identified groups working together foe their development”.
The Deputy Governor Ftoumatta Sanyang deputizing for the Governor in declaring the forum open said the theme is indeed timey and vital saying that as young people, the participants should be very attentive during the sessions as they are the agents of change and the theme is simply referring to them going by the theme which states that Attitudinal Change to Combat Drug and Crime for Sustainable Development.  She commended the SAAMASANG Federation and Child-Fund The Gambia for their support and partnership as well as the Brikama Area Council and other notable stakeholders.
The Government of The Gambia attaches a great concern for the development of the young people but it is now your mandates to complement the efforts of the Government as young people who will be entrusted to lead the people in the future.
Madam Sanyang took the platform to warned the young population to stay away from crimes, drugs and venture into meaningful development for sustainable development to take place in the entire country and the region as a whole.
Momadou Jallow Child-Fund Area Manager, Baba Bojang Area Sponsor Relation Manager and Edrissa Cham Federation Manager all gave similar remarks calling on the young people to adopt good manners and become role models in their communities.
Topics discussed include leadership, child protection, drug and youth participation in combating drug and crime, Olympic games, dialogue with institutions working for young people on strategies to create employment for the young people, role of young people in restoring culture and tradition, conflict resolution, credit union, and other important issues toward  youth empowerments.