I am inviting you to join our continental youth body called Organization of African Youth the Gambia chapter Organisation of African Youth (OAYouth) is a registered charitable Community Based Organization with Attorney General of Chambers under the Minist (OAYouth )
Organisation of African Youth (OAYouth) is a registered member-based non-profit organisation that works to motivate, unify and empowe
r African youth to be drivers of Africa’s social, political and economic transformation; while synergising local innovative ideas to all African countries. Change is our motivation! Youth is our Weapon! Unity is our Shield! OAYouth is the hub for youth contribution to development locally and continentally. Through OAYouth, young people are active in supporting themselves and their governments to build better communities. The central thrust of OAYouth’s programming is to obliterate the deprived people syndrome (DPS) in young people, through strategies and activities that enhance African pride, productivity and unity. This shall be achieved through continuous participation, learning, training, education, personal and societal development program activities that have positive outcomes to influencing economic development, political tolerance, social responsibility, justice and fair democratic leadership practices. History of OAYouth
Organisation of African Youth (OAYouth) was established in 2009 and registered as an NGO, first in South Africa and later in Cameroon, Gambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Formed by 17 young people from 11 countries, OAYouth has grown and has chapters in 35 African countries where young people are participating in home-grown programmes to increase their voices, empower themselves and build their communities. Membership
OAYouth’s members are young people of between 15 to 35 years of age, as contemplated in the African Youth Charter and in OAYouth Constitution. Other youth organisations join to support the work of OAYouth as members, partners and co-sponsors. Problem Statement – The Burden of Poverty and Unemployment
OAYouth’s founding responded to the extraordinary social challenges and changes in the continent that vastly affect the productivity of African youth. According to the African Union (AU), 65% of the total population of Africa is below the age of 35 years, and over 35% are between the ages of 15 and 35 years - making Africa the most youthful continent. Although more than half of Africa’s population comprises youth, most of them live in extreme poverty – 60.7 million young people live on less than US $1 a day. United Nations concludes that low levels of education, limited skill sets and restricted opportunities exclude young people from gaining productive work.outh empowerment in Africa requires the collective efforts of individuals, governments, regional groups, organised private sector and development partners. Without opportunities for decent work, disaffected youth are more easily enticed to participate in disruptive behaviours, such as drug use, civil unrest and violence, including armed conflicts and other forms of criminal activities. Youth remain at the periphery of decision making processes, yet they are dealt a bad hand with Africa’s major problems. HIV/AIDS is spreading amongst them; teenage pregnancy, school dropouts, prostitution and crime are all reducing their productivity. Evidently, if youth do not speak and act for themselves, no one else will. Unemployment
There is an urgent need for African youth to play a major role in advocating for empowerment mechanisms that reach the poorest of the poor. The problem of youth employment is even more complex in Africa than any other part of the world. Slow-growing economies have been unable to generate enough job opportunities to absorb the large number of young people graduating every year. Youth need to build new enterprises to grow and provide jobs, supported by entrepreneurship skilling. OAYouth’s unique approach is premised on its continental outlook and independence as a youth-led movement that bridges divides of national, political, racial and religious insularities. Through OAYouth, young people have a neutral platform to work together towards the common national and African Agenda. OAYouth is first of its kind member-based continental youth movement that is not affiliated to political parties and controlled through governments. The organisation is a platform where youth represent themselves.
