YMCAs urged to put more focus on greening initiatives

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) has been challenged to put more emphasis on initiatives that will help the country in mitigating the impacts of Climate Change.

The Mama Doing Good Chief Executive Officer Dr Kipkorir Chumo said the country prides itself on a massive youthful population that requires attention and support so that they can shift focus on climate solutions.

Chumo spoke during the official opening of the Africa Alliance YMCA's General Assembly aimed at celebrating the successes, purposes and impact of their existence referencing the last 4 years.

The theme of this year's assembly, 'Innovating and co-creating an agile and sustainable Movement for youth empowerment' underscored the alliances' unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and the African renaissance.

Dr Chumo said the Kenya YMCA has the capacity to partner with other sector players and leverage the youth by linking them with existing opportunities amid efforts to escalate the Kenya Greening initiatives.

"We have initiatives like tree planting which aim to mitigate the impact of climate change. YMCA should thus take advantage of its vast networks and YMCA programs to bring young people on board. This does not however mean it is an NGO's affair but everyone must be actively involved," said Chumo.

He said if young people are linked with existing opportunities it will go a long way in fostering both social and economic development.

His sentiments were echoed by the Director of Women, Gender and Youth Directorate of the African Union Ms Prudence Ngwenya who said member states must wake up to the call to test new approaches of solving the challenges they have.

Ngwenya said although the African Union is committed to ensuring that young people take up new innovations to find climate solutions, the African states must contextualise the problems and seek effective solutions.

"All we are saying is that young people should not be perceived as beneficiaries but must be part and parcel of the wider conversations," she said.

Kenya YMCA National General Secretary Jared Musima said despite the climate-centred initiatives, the association will also ensure it puts mechanisms in place to deal with the issues of mental health among the youth.

Musima said their mandate remains to empower the young people with life skills that will help them navigate all aspects of life.