Japan Somali Youth programme helps integrate youth in Eastliegh

YUSOM
Press release
Thursday, November 21, 2013

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Youth United for Social Mobilization (YUSOM), a non-governmental and nonprofit youth organization based in Eastlieght Nairobi Kenya and Somalia has been conducting various programmes for the benefit of Somali youth from the youth themselves.

Youth United for social Mobilization’ greatest concern fall on lack of opportunities and work, not only for the Somali youth in refugee camps and Eastlieght but those back at home who have been paying a high price as a result of exploitation to conflict, perilous boat trips on the gulf of Aden and the high seas, while those who managed to escape conflict with families in neighboring countries such as Kenya struggle drug abuse and at unprecedented levels of desperation.

Over 70 percent of Somalia’s population is under the age of thirty according to the Somalia Human Development Report in 2012. Youth United for social Mobilization (YUSOM) has over the past years trying to contribute its efforts to help some of these youths in Eastliegh Narobi through integration programmes such as sports and awareness sessions. During these deliberations youth sport teams were created, youth mentors were trained and entertainment theatre performances were held to help youth understand their culture and cultivate their potentiality and more positively collaborate within and to the societies. With little or zero resources to measure percentage points achieved through our volunteering based activities YUSOM strongly believes the continuation to such HOPE-CREATION programmes for youth can be a vital tool to change our youth.

“Our challenge is to get more resources for our goals but most importantly we are committed in keeping pace towards better future for youth”. Said Farhan Mohamed Hanshi Vice President & Chief Executive Officer of YUSOM.

“We need their talents, skills and experience, their capacity to change, invent, innovate and create a better Somalia. These are all driving forces for our collective prosperity”. He added
On August 27th 2013 Somali youth in Eastlieght step efforts to integrate with their visiting Japanese youth amid efforts by the Japanese government pledging renewed support to reintegrate criminal and at-risk Somali youth back into communities.

Somali youth from the grass-root communities successfully took part Somali-Japan Youth event in Eastliegh, on course of these events Somali youth and their visiting counterparts have shown more willingness to stay in touch and keep the destiny.

Yusom organized basketball events for the Somali- Japanese Youth, that was meant to usher them and for the purpose of interaction and integration between the Somalis and Japanese. The basket ball was for both the genders, and was played by both the Japanese and Somalis where each team was a mixture of both youths.

Before the start of the event, there was a brief introduction of the cultures of the Somalis and Japanese by some of the YUSOM members and the Japanese. The Japanese talked of their culture and their need to understand the Somali culture and work with them now and in the future. On the Somali side, some of the yusom leaders welcomed the Japanese to the Somali area, and also talked of their readiness to work with them and interact with the Japanese, and understand their culture. They also talked of the need to cooperate in terms of sports and other important activities. YUSOM also asked the Japanese to help trainings for the players, coaches and referees.

After the introduction, the teams started playing, with the Japanese offered training before the beginning of the game. The training was mainly about the basket ball playing skills, like the throwing of the ball, dribbling and scoring methods. The game was quite enjoyable. It went on for about 40 minutes.

Finally, after the game ended, YUSOM officials thanked the Japanese counterparts for their visit, and method sharing, requesting the Japanese to keep the friendship. The Japanese youth also appreciated YUSOM for their warm welcoming, and the preparation of the basketball event. They also promised of strengthening their partnership with YUSOM. The project ended successfully with no major hiccups.

On the second day, YUSOM members ushered with the Japanese counterparts at our small office in Eastliegh, where Youth shared ideas. Both youths have shown great willingness to stay in touch while the Japanese youth acknowledged YUSOM’s commitment towards better youth community, while they promised to help youths with balls, uniforms, shoes, and trainings.

On the third day of their visit, YUSOM and Japanese youths went to visit new Eastleigh primary school.

Investing and rehabilitating young people's lives is vital in order to get a peaceful Somalia and prosperous well-being. Integration and youth meet ups can improve the competitiveness of in them in the long run.

It is very encouraging that more and more youths can now understand voluntary participation now then before thus this needs the support and identification of the donor actors. This will help to improve the quality of Somalia.

It is our collective responsibility to create better opportunities for young people today.

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