VOLUNTARY YOUTH ASSESSMENT TOUR
Youth Assessment Tour
Youth Forum in Zimbabwe had lost shape due to the poor digestion of the concept and its mission within the already existing structures. This moved the newly elected youth committee in 2014 (24 October) to embark on a youth assessment tour mainly to do a physical reach out to the young people for the purpose of recording views and idea in a raw format.
The youth assessment tour was a success and got maximum support from the national HQ. As the young people, we are very happy with the chockfull support we get from the HQ in their capacity. From the 5 old political provinces namely Masvingo , Mashonaland, Matabeleland, Midlands and Manicaland ,we managed to visit a total number of 45 schools from all these provinces and met over 450 youths.
Surprisingly several youths, weren’t aware of the existence of youth forum caused by the lack of proper dissemination of information to grass roots. This was also one of the Chief reasons to why national youth forum realized poor participation. To help have a uniform feedback, the youth committee designed a questionnaire which had questions about
1. the existence, purpose and operation of the youth forum in respective provinces
2. Recognition and engagement of the young people at decision making levels.
3. An understanding of M.O.P Network and the Fund.
4. Unattended youth issues.
5. The youth Programme (significance and its relevance against youth needs)
6. An understanding of the channel used to address youth matters.
7. Cooperation between youth engaged and the adults.
8. Youth empowerment programmes
9. World rover programmes ( S.W.A / W.S.E.P ETC )
The support we got from the provincial commissioners shall not go unmentioned. Providing us with shelter at each and every destination.
Four provinces now have operating youth forums at provincial level and since we now are expanding our provinces to 10 new country recognized provinces, we hope to visit the new provinces and encourage local youth forum as well. Youth forum products gained shape from all these efforts and would like to applause the great youth team that was so committed in the spirit of volunteerism.
May the good LORD bless Zimbabwe