About a thousand youth in the conflict plagued North West and South West Regions have taken part in a clean-up-campaign demonstrating commitment to peacebuilding processes.
The months-long exercise dubbed Community Service Days that involved young people in all 13 administrative divisions of the two regions was an initiative of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, and its implementing partner, Local Youth Corner Cameroon. It aimed at raising awareness about the prevention of the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, organizers say.
The first phase of the initiative saw 274 participants engage in clean-up campaigns in the Mezam, Momo, Meme, and Bui divisions. The participants cleaned various locations, including Ghana Street, Cow Street, and Mobile Bridge in Bamenda, as well as the Kumba high court and its surroundings.
The second phase, which took place during the first week of February, saw 227 participants engage in clean-up campaigns in the Fako, Menchum, Donga Mantung, and Ndian divisions. The participants cleaned locations such as the Koke Water Catchment in Buea, the Wum council street, and the Nkambe Grandstand.
In the third and final phase of the activity earlier this month, approximately 343 participants took part in cleaning various locations including the cleaning the Ndop city council in the North West Region, the Bangem Divisional Officer’s office in the Kupe Muanenguba Division of the South West Region, cleaning the Alou health center in the Lebialem Division.
Besides jointly serving the community, the clean up campaign offered an avenue for young people to meet and engage with large numbers of people at once and spread message of peace through workshops and talk after the cleaning exercise
“Behind this activity is the message that individual self service to the community no matter how small is the 1st step to realizing major developmental change and growth,” organisers said.
Throughout the initiative, participants expressed their satisfaction with the clean-up activities, highlighting the strong sense of community and dedication to creating a cleaner and healthier environment. Many participants also shared their personal experiences and lessons learned during the initiative.
“I learned a lot during this event,” said one participant. “I got to listen and share with my peers about the importance of cleanliness and social cohesion. Coming from a community that has seen conflict, organizing an event and having participants from both camps was worth celebrating.”
Another participant noted, “Cleaning the Koke Water catchment was a rewarding experience. As a major drinking water point serving over 1,000 people a day in Buea, cleaning and keeping it healthy contributes to the hygiene and wellbeing of over 1,000 people in Buea”.
First published in NewsWatch newspaper No 205 of Monday, March 17, 2025.
