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Sande Wycliffe 22/11/2012 8:24am

We did a bit of shopping at the local shop for drinks and we were ready to go. Along our way [in Malawi] it was horrifying to see, let alone to talk, about what we saw; a huge part of THE FOREST reduced to ashes, other trees cut and uprooted because the workers claimed they had not been paid their salaries so the solution, according to them, was to destroy the forest. Were this workers really aware of the adverse effects of climate change? Did they try to explore other ways to get the problem solved? Was burning the forest which attracts rainfall, acts as carbon sink for the already heavily polluted environment such a bold step to take? who will answer all this questions? who is responsible for this mess? is it Malawian government ? or the workers or the people of Malawi?

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Rufus Laverlott 17/11/2011 13:01am

I am encouraged this morning as I stand here in Kafue, Zambia. I look at the diversity before me as some are still taking down tents, others are eating and after 2 weeks girls are still shrieking as bugs find new nesting ground in their hair frogs finding warmth in their sleeping bags and tents, there is never a dull moment. I see people working together and there is nothing that separates them, what seemed a challenge at first is now done with ease, what seemed impossible is a reality, Mmmmm ?

From Nairobi to Durban and back to Nairobi for some, over 17 cultures, over 17 nations in 6 trucks, male and female, young and old. I can hear the whispers, “You are crazy, I could never do that, 40 days traveling like that, I COULD NEVER DO THAT, Mmmmmm?” Here are over 180 reasons why you can, can what? Here are an 180 reasons why you should add your voice to ours as we do this not only for our generation but for those that will come after us. We do this because this is my world as much as yours.

COP17, Durban, South Africa, what will happen we don’t know but this I can assure you, WE KNOW WHAT WE WILL BE DOING THERE!

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Wycliffe Sande 10/11/2011 11:01am

Our journey started this morning after a briefing from organizers and a prayer for safe journey from one of our own. Since I was looking for comfort, I was the first one to get in the bus (Bus..Ted). On our way, we stopped to have lunch, i was moved by the team work exhibited by everyone getting involved at every stage of the lunch preparation. We had lunch, washed our utensils and continued with our journey. It did not take us long though to arrive at the border to start with the formalities of getting the necessary documents done at the immigration offices. The long lines, the many people in there, you can imagine how long it took us to process our documents so we could proceed on in Tanzania. I journey from the border of Namanga was smooth and we arrived in Arusha. Being my first camping experience, i had a lot to learn so that i can comfortably be part/identify with the putting up the tent was such a task for me to learn. Our morning was characterised by a bit of confusion because of rains that poured as we prepared to leave early in the morning. On our way, one of our buses had a flat tire thus they had to repair it.

The energy, zeal and ego exhibited from the caravan participants is undoubtedly incredible; Africa, "we will do you proud in Durban, South Africa"

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Ayanda Mabanga 10/11/2011 16:12
 

It seemed that South Africans were amongst the creative and musical favorites. Songs like “shosholoza” are echoed from a distance. Before the journey began, a few interviews by local journalists were conducted. One thing was common when it came to the young people’s answers. They all emphasized on the importance of being a united entity in approaching in advocating for climate justice. Shifting blame constantly is not helping us in moving forward hence we need to come up with solutions instead. Ayanda Mabanga, a representative from Durban was interviewed and said “being conscious about climate change should be a lifestyle, not just another program that everyone forgets after a few months”. By the end of the Caravan Campaign, people from across all spheres should be aware and educated about climate change as well as give them the power to raise their voice towards advocacy.

Tanzania’s deputy president Mohammed Gharib was one of the main guest speakers that attended the concert there. This goes to show that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a universal problem that affects all of our spheres of life. The concert was a success regardless of the extreme weather conditions that were unbearable at times. The sun was scotching yet energies were high.

On our way we witness yet again the effects of climate change. Dry river beds, barren land and dry leafless trees. This is all in summer when everything is suppose to be lusciously green because of summer rains but due to the changes in weather patterns droughts are taking over. As the climate justice caravan we want this to come to an end and the good news is that we have managed to spread the word so far that CNN and BBC have contacted us to find out more. We also appreciate the support that South Africa is giving us.

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Wycliffe Sande 07/11/2011 16:45

Climate Change Conference At The Multimedia University The national Youth Conference on Climate Change that began on the 2nd November 2011 at the Multimedia University started with registration of participants as they were checking in ready to go.

First we had the 2 panellists presenting about climate change, which was applauded by all to be as presentations well done; why should we care about climate change? Can we make a difference? Are we ready? We need to be proactive in dealing with issues that concern our environment so that we can reduce the effects of climate change, here are some of the things YOU can do; replace your lighting system with energy saving bulbs, drive less or use public transport, try as much as you can to recycle at least half of what you use at home, use less hot water, avoid products with a lot of packaging and above all be part of the solution and not the problem. From what attendants gathered, it was crystal clear that if we can be able to do the above and even more, if we could share information, talk about and against climate change with our fellow youth and initiate projects that seek to save our biodiversity, we will be well placed in reducing co2 emission by a huge percentage. Time is now! Let’s act then for we have faith in our brothers and sisters devoted to work together to this course.

In the end I learnt that media is sometimes to blame e.g a couple of months ago, farmers from the Rift wanted to sue the Metrological department for giving them false information about when to expect rains. This was entirely ballooned up by the media for, from what the evening presenter shared, they reported from a point of no information, no research had been carried out thus it is the one to blame.
We therefore need;

• Media houses that can balance its programs like giving climate change issues airplay.
• We have to develop an interest in writing and reading, give your opinion and share the climate change stories with the world. We are not getting the African stories taught and heard. We are not getting good contend on Climate change from the media but we can work towards generating the content.

I will leave you with this “We came in Nairobi on our bicycles, (cyclists for environment/climate change) and everywhere we were the media people were following us, they were talking to us and I personally had a chance to be interviewed live by them?” one of the cyclists recounting his fast experience with the Media”. It is indeed true that climate change can present us with lots of opportunities. ACT. The YMCA team on board will keep you posted.

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Ayanda Mabanga 7/11/2011 16:12

For many, climate change is not much of an important issue due to lack of knowledge and understanding.  For a long while people have been ignorant and inactive towards stopping it and our earth now is fast becoming un-inhabitable. Rivers are running dry, the ozone layer is depleting at an accelerated rate and the weather conditions are becoming unbearable. The question still remains, “who is to blame?”. The blame is shifted from side to side but solutions are nowhere to be heard. On the Climate Caravan, we are coming together because we believe that this is the time to stand up and act. Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it affects every sphere of our lives, from business to politics hence the urgency to act now.

Before we get to Durban, South Africa. We can only imagine the dynamics that will occur during this trip. Over 160 young people with different strong personalities, in a small space, exhausting with the world constantly watching our every move. It will be tough, it will be grueling but at the end of the day it is for a life saving cause. That is what’s motivating us.

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Davina Dawn 4/11/2011 15:32

The first day of orientation for the caravan, and leading the two teams is a youth worker named Oscar. Icebreakers and name games are shared by the two groups. The YMCA African Alliance has made a special appearance to encourage all the participants on their journey to Durban. Everyone was motivated to share each other’s load and that this big task is going to take everyone to work together as one team.

It all started with a dream, in Copenhagen 2009. I am getting scared now, “I never thought the movement would escalate in this manner so quickly” was the words from one of the youth who was there since the beginning of it all. It is amazing.

Every team represented had to share a little story how their organization come to be a part of the Climate Change Movement. Over 21 countries represented with over 130 caravan participants. Everyone is seems very excited, committed and eager to get on the road for Climate Justice.

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In February 2011, 16 young women gathered on the sun-soaked shores of Ziguinchor, Senegal, to take part in a ground-breaking AAYMCA project. Each participant was trained in a discipline of their choice, ranging from radio, poetry, photograph or article writing, and the results are to be published, in the original language -French-, on the AAYMCA website and distributed to the media in Senegal and throughout the world. This project would not have been possible without the generous support of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) and the dedication and time of experienced media mentors.

The Bombalong work will published over the following months on: http://www.africaymca.org/299.0.html

FRENCH

En Février 2011, 16 jeunes femmes se sont réunies au bord des rives ensoleillées de Ziguinchor au Sénégal, pour prendre part à un projet novateur de l’AAYMCA. Chaque participant a été formé dans une discipline de son choix, allant de la radio, à la poésie, en passant par la photographie et la rédaction d'articles. Les résultats sont publiés dans la langue d'origine - en français - sur le site de l’AAYMCA, dans la presse au Sénégal et à travers le monde. Ce projet n'aurait pas été possible sans l’appui généreux de la World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) ainsi que le dévouement et le temps consacrés par des mentors expérimentés provenant du monde des médias.

http://www.africaymca.org/299.0.html

The Gambia YMCAs as part of its BLF/Y Care Funded Project in Life Skills and Enterprise Development for Marginalised and disadvantage Young People is organising a National Youth Employment Summit in September 2011 in The Gambia.

The summit is aimed at showcasing the exemplery intervention by the Gambia YMCAs in the following areas;

- Youth Entrepreneurship
- Micro finance Support Scheme for Youths
- Implementing relevant and strategic Vocational Skills Training 
- Rights Based Approach to Youth Enterprise and Economic Justice
- Consolidated Partnership with stakeholders in supporting Youth Enterprise Initiatives

This will be the core focus of the three days summit.

Delegates to this summit will include Young people, Government, NGOs, Youth Organisations, Sister YMCAs, ILO - YEN,  Stakeholders, Private Sector and The Media.

There will be a lot of inspirational Speakers,  sharing by Youth Leaders and  showcasing best practice by organisations / institutions.

The selected thematic sessions will form an avenue for extra learning on programmatic interventions.

If you would like to take part in this process, please contact Joseph Peacock, Programme Secretary on:

The Gambia YMCA
MDI Road, Kanifing South
P. O. Box 421 Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: +220 4392647
Mob: +220 9918602
+220 7726985
www.ymca.gm
jpeacock(at)ymca.gm