African youths urged to pursue the renaissance dream through hard work

Kadoma, (Pungwe News-New Ziana)-Young people across the continent have been urged to pursue the dream of African renaissance through working hard and being innovative.

The African Renaissance is the concept that African people and nations shall overcome the current challenges confronting the continent and achieve cultural, scientific, and economic renewal.

Zimbabwe National Young Men’s Christian Associations (ZYMCAs) national chairperson Dr Vakai Matutu made the call during the organisation’s 2019 annual general meeting (AGM) which was held in Kadoma recently.

The Zimbabwe National Council of YMCAs was established in 1968 with a mission to unite young people of christian faiths transcending all divisions and barriers of class, creed, color, gender, age, nationality and religious denominations or political persuasions.

Among its objectives the YMCA strives to provide facilities, programmes and activities designed to enrich spiritual mental, cultural and physical development.

The organization seeks to develop civil society by conscientising communities and YMCA members on human rights issues as well as facilitating and designing self-reliance programmes.

The Zimbabwe YMCA is currently carrying out a number of programmes and projects to improve the socio-economic well-being of individuals and communities.

These programmes include Family Life Education, cattle fattening, disaster relief, civic education, youth camping, brick-making, providing draught power, gender sensitation, carpentry, dressmaking, art and market gardens.

The organized is headquartered in Geneva, Switerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries and was founded by George William.

“Our goal is to motivate young people to pursue renaissance dreams of Africa through hard work and serving their communities,” said Matutu.

He said young people in various communities across Africa should have the spirit to serve and bring changes in communities where they lived.

“As YMCA, we encourage young people to serve their communities in a selfless manner. Serving communities voluntarily is a spirit that we value, and these young people you see gathered today believe in our mission to change lives of people in our communities,” he said.

Matutu said despite economic challenges that the country was facing, his organisation had managed to stay afloat through hard work, commitment and dedication of its members.

“We have managed to keep YMCA afloat in a relatively unstable environment,” he said, adding, “we are determined to soldier on in 2020.”

He said although their revenue base remained shrunk, they had managed to sustain operations of their five branches in the country in Kadoma, Harare, Chegutu, Tanda (Makoni) and Bulawayo.

“We have managed to ensure that the capacity of young people is supported across Zimbabwe as well motivating young to pursue their dreams,” he said.

Matutu said the organization was looking forward to expand its budget this year so that it could adequately finance its operations.

“We require bigger budgets to support young people in terms of empowerment, economic strengthening and health matters. Due to challenges in our economy, we are not able to meet some of the goals,” he said.

Speaking at the same occasion, YMCA national youths chairperson Elton Jimu said volunteerism was about changing lives, adding that young people had a role to change lives of people in their communities through engaging in various livelihood sustenance projects.

“I encourage young people to reach out to those in need and contribute towards the development of lives. We have high unemployment in our country but I would like to challenge you as young people to be innovative and think outside the box. Come with ideas that will help communities to generate income and improve lives. It is possible,” he said.

Innocent Chidangwa (Leadership and Membership Development), George Simbe (Programs), Elton Jimu (National Youths Chairperson) and Matutu were some of the members who were honored for being dedicated to to the organization.

National treasurer Gcinekile Masiye was appointed new national general secretary and will be replaced by Faith Ndlovu from the Bulawayo branch.

Gweru was honored with a branch status after being weaned from Kadoma.

YMCA Zimbabwe through its developmental agency Y Care last year assisted victims of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani in Manicaland province through provision of stationery, reusable sanitary pads and clothes to students and affected communities.

The association also donated preparation kits to expectant mothers living in the camps.

The preparation kits contained napkins, washing soaps, petroleum jelly,dishes,baby clothes and other items.
New Ziana