Youths trained on dangers of illegal migration

In his opening remark, Peter Gillen, the PRO of YAB, revealed that the training was meant to train not only the members of the two associations but also directed to the general public especially the youths who he said are the main protagonists of any given society or nation as a whole. He indicated that the dangers of illegal migration cannot be overemphasized, saying, the journey is a journey of death. Hence it is extremely hazardous and life threatening.

Gillen noted that youths are the spirits of the nation, the resources and hopes for tomorrow and so, they should be well sensitized on their roles as the future leaders. “Therefore, the future lies on their shoulders and palms,” he said.

He also spoke at length on the need for the two associations to put hands on deck in their active participation to fight against what he called a fundamental phenomenon – illegal migration. He finally urged all the trainees to take it as an obligation in disseminating the information gathered during the two day long training.

For the director of ASFA, Alphosainey Jarjue, the training was organized as part of the strong ties that exist between the two associations. “It is this reason that we have made everything possible to come together as associations with the same aim to discuss issues and put on plans and strategies in sensitizing the general public on dangers of illegal migration,” he said.

Mr. Jarjue highlighted the importance of the existence of the two associations, adding that youths form a high population, about 60 percent in the country, and it is among this population that most violent crimes such as rape, assailment and other forms of child abuse also occur. As a result, it should be in every individual’s interest to see to that illegal migration becomes history; and that energies are redirected towards achieving purposeful living.

Speaking to TODAY Newspaper shortly after the training, Adama Touray, one of the beneficiaries of the training and member of ASFA noted that people naturally do not consider the negative consequences of their actions. “This is why we are joining our hands together in our quest to actively sensitize the youths on dangers of illegal migration,” she said.

According to Touray, ASFA is a social initiative of both national and continental scope, founded in 2006 by a few young Gambians and Europeans who are worried about the poverty, the wars and the misery under which many live on African continent which in turn provoke the illegal movement of the people, particularly of the youths to the developed countries for greener pastures. The YBA, on the other hand is newly established by a former teacher who also wants to contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of the nation through actively participating in sensitizing the youths on their roles as well as providing initial emergency help for the needy ones in the country. According to the two associations, if their targets are met, it would be one of the means of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) within the ambit of the PRSP and the Vision 2020.