Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Youth Interactive Correspondent
At least 140 tertiary and high school students have completed an intensive youth camp focused on the fight against drug and substance abuse.
The Regional Youth Camp, hosted by the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) at a local campsite in Marondera, saw participants from institutions including Midlands State University, Bindura State University, Great Zimbabwe University, the National University of Science and Technology and Kwekwe High School.
The programme, which comes after President Mnangagwa declared drug and substance abuse a national emergency, reflects the private sector’s commitment to an all-stakeholder approach in addressing the crisis
Students who attended the programme, which started on Wednesday and concluded on Sunday last week, described the experience as profoundly impactful.
“I have learnt a lot, and I now know that in life I must have a clear vision of how I see myself in the next 20 years,” Esther Vundla, an MSU student and participant, said.
“The message was also clear that we must stop drug and substance abuse because it is not the solution.”
Thirteen-year-old Ruvarashe Manjoro from Kwekwe High School also shared her resolve to educate her peers.
“We were taught about different drugs and substances that are abused, and we were also informed that some students are no longer pursuing their education because they are being taken to rehabilitation centres due to mistakes they made in their lives, so I will share the dangers of drugs with my peers when I return.”
Zimbabwe Red Cross Society Youth Commission president Victor Chimhanda reiterated the national society’s commitment to youth involvement.
“We are here as young people because Red Cross believes in involvement and participation of youth in all the activities. So, they are giving us a chance to meet, to learn, so that we build a strong youth engagement within our national society,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the participants would become active agents of change upon returning to their communities: “We believe by the end of this camp, as they head back to their constituencies, they are going to go and disseminate the sessions which are being held.”
ZRCS director Operations Management Mathias Begede confirmed the programme’s significance as an annual event designed to equip young people with essential knowledge.
“It’s an event that is commemorated almost every year, once every year, where youth gather together to share ideas, to come up with strategies on how to overcome the challenges that are facing the youth.”
