Editor
Youth volunteers from fifty-one branches of the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) participated in a national youth camp aimed at equipping them with developmental knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency and community support.
This event was highlighted by URCS National Treasurer, Stephen Tashobya, during the sixth training program at Mutuumo Island Resort on Lake Nyabihoko in Kajara, Ntungamo District.
The sixth Uganda Red Cross Society youth training program was organized at Standard College Ntungamo in Ntungamo District under the theme: “Empowering Uganda Red Cross Society Youth to Discover and Unlock Their Potential for Self-Reliance and Sustainability.”
Tashobya explained that during the five-day camp, the youth volunteers received training to build their capacity and skills in mobilizing for membership growth, emphasizing that URCS relies heavily on its numbers. Additionally, the camp provided life skills to volunteers who had left school, equipping them with the knowledge to start and sustain small domestic enterprises for economic empowerment. Leadership skills were also a key focus.
Tashobya noted that the youth volunteers were trained in disaster management, including handling outbreaks such as Ebola and COVID-19, as well as accidents, all aimed at protecting humanity. By the end of the camp, the participants were expected to develop an action plan, having gained skills to become better Red Cross volunteers.
Edison Baherezibwa, the Volunteer Management Officer for URCS Kampala, mentioned that the youth camps emphasized promoting international friendship and understanding among young people to foster cohesion, mutual respect, and address environmental challenges.
Hiraly Asiimwe, the Uganda Red Cross Society branch youth chairperson, mentioned that the national youth camp hosted international representatives from Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and other countries. The camp provided a platform for celebration and further training, enabling participants to deepen their understanding of the Uganda Red Cross Society and acquire skills for self-sustainability.
