Youth without Borders: Caravan Trail Isiolo to Mombasa. 01. – 28. September
2004

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT SHEET

Youth, accounting for more than half of the population in Kenya and many
other African countries, has an enormous role to play for the development
of future society. Having been involved in the struggles for human
rights, justice and peace in the country, youth were important to bring
about change for multiparty democracy in Kenya in 2002.

Since then – in spite of many declarations – young people have been the
target group of only few policy decisions with even less implementation.
Many youth initiatives have sprung up, organised by young people who take
their future into their own hands. However, they often lack experience,
expertise, and even public support. Today many youth organisations
realise that they have to create a higher level of awareness on their
own concerns. It is they who have to bring their own issues back to the
agendas of public decision makers. Only then social peace will be able
to be maintained on a medium and long term basis.

The Caravan

Thus the Voluntary Youth Philanthropists, based in Nairobi, in
partnership with several youth organisations has embarked on an
extensive awareness initiative that will incorporate the use of a camel
caravan from Isiolo to Mombasa and a distance of 1030 km. This is a
pilot project that is envisaged to be held annually so as to educate
other young people especially those in rural areas.

The Objectives

The main objective of the caravan is Lobby and advocate for youth issues
to recognise the contribution of young people in efforts geared at
realising their full potential in society. Our message is that youth
need to be consulted in all matters that are central to their lives.
Thus they need to be involved as equal actors in nation building as the
custodians of today’s development. In particular:

Ř Creating awareness on the existing national youth policy/millennium
development goals
Ř To sensitise youth on HIV/AIDs and drug abuse
Ř Youth and ICT
Ř To bring the youth issues to the front and centre of the national
debate

It intends to address youth both in and out of school, development
partners, the corporate sector, the Government of Kenya, diplomatic
missions, youth organisations and local NGO's.


EXAMPLE OF YOUTH SITUATION IN KENYA

The population age bracket of 30 years and below constitutes about 75% of
the Kenyan population. This segment forms the highest source of human
resource. The situation that young people in Kenya face today is dire.
Most of the ills that plague the country – joblessness, crime, the AIDS
pandemic, affect young people to an inordinate degree. In addition, they
are used as the foot soldiers in politicians’ battles, and left in the
lurch when the wars move on. There has been no concrete effort made,
whether in politics or in business or in public affairs, to acknowledge
the contribution that the youth can put in, and are putting in, and to
aid them in these efforts.

The Trail

As mentioned above the caravan trail will start at Isiolo heading to
Mombasa, this is about 1030 km and will take approximately 28 days. This
translates to 50 km per day to cover the total journey. The caravan will
use camels that are being offered by a supporting agency in Nairobi.

Activities during the trail include the popularisation of the National
Youth Policy final draft and its shortcomings, the disseminating other
information to youth on HIV/AIDs, drugs abuse as well as other important
information, the use of drama, poems, dances and art graphics to
publicise the issues behind the event, forums for speeches, talks and
youth sharing.

The Structure

As mentioned above the caravan trail will start at Isiolo heading to
Mombasa, this is about 1030 km and will take approximately 28 days. This
translates to 50 km per day to cover the total journey.

An interim co-ordinating committee has been formed to run the caravan
tour. This team consists of seven (7) members. A co-ordinator is already
in place to co-ordinate the whole process.

The Initiator

Voluntary Youth Philanthropist -VYP is an organisation founded in the
year 2000 under the local churches; Saint John ACK Kangemi and Saint
Joseph the Worker Catholic Church Kangemi. It was registered in the year
2002 under the Kenya law and in 2003 in Burundi.

VYP groups together the youth both refugee and citizens. It is a non-
political, non-partisan and a non- governmental organization. VYP is
youth- led organization and unites youth from all walks of life. Its
objective is to enhance youth participation in the socio-cultural and
economic structural development in boosting and strengthening the
position of the vulnerable inculcating positive social values in the
society through youth initiatives.

The major driving force is to unite the youth to focus on socio-economic
issues like poverty HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, justice, peace and
reconciliation in promoting the basic rights of the human person.

The organisation activities revolve around three programmes: Justice
Peace and Reconciliation programme; Voluntary, cultural and sports
programme; Research and information programme

Support and Participation

You may support this exciting project in different ways:
n You may be included into our electronic mailing list on request
n Obtain information material on the caravan, distribute and publish
it
in your home place.
n Come to Kenya and join the caravan for its full period or part of
it.
Minimum period for participation is seven days.
n Express your solidarity for the project
n Donate to contribute to the expenses of the caravan.

Contact Address Rachel Wambui Kung'u
P.O.Box 19705-0202
Tel: +254 20 630257
Fax: +254 20 3748939
Cellular: +254 722 678962
+254 734 615037
Nairobi -Kenya
E-mail: rwaquel@...
wcykenya@...

Account details BANK: CO-OPERATIVE BANK OF KENYA
BRANCH: UNIVERSITY WAY
A/C NAME: VOLUNTARY YOUTH PHILANTHROPIST
A/C NUMBER: 0110061311000
SWIFT CODE: KCOOPKENA

RESPONSE SHEET FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTERS

Name: Mr./Mrs.

Address:

Phone

Fax

Email

Nationality:

Age:

I have heard about the Caravan Trail from Isiolo to Mombasa and I am
interested in more information. Please,

o send me more detailed information on the project (at the time being
only electronically available)
o include me into your electronic mailing list.

I would like to support the Caravan by

o Writing on the project in my country (I am going to send you the
newspaper clippings for your documentation).
o Donating once / regularly (every month/ every year/every quarter
once
in six months the following sum. I have transferred this donation on
(date) to account No. 0110061311000
o Joining the caravan.
§ proposed period:
§ special needs:
§ I am aware that the trail will take place under local conditions:
yes/no
§ I am aware that I may be asked to participate in a preparatory
weekend prior to the departure of the caravan.
§ I am aware that I have to cover all my expenses on my own and that
the
organiser will not pay any part of the costs (including insurances,
medical treatment): yes/no
§ I am aware that in case of my participation, I will have to follow
the
instructions of the project officials: yes/no.
§ I enclose a letter describing my personal motivation to participate.
§ I will not hold the organiser responsible for any damage occurring
to
me during the caravan, its preparation and follow-up.

Place, Date

Signature


--
'Gbenga Sesan
"Why? Why Not?" | www.gbengasesan.com
Paradigm Initiative Nigeria | www.pin.itgo.com