International Youth Day is celebrated on the 12th of August every year, with the purpose of educating youths as well as discussing topical issues surrounding them. This year, the day was celebrated in Rarieda sub-county, Kenya, an event sponsored by Ace Africa, on the 15th of August. The event was attended by 300 people, including youths, adults, and representatives from community support groups.

The theme for 2015 was ‘Youth Civic Engagement’, with discussions taking place with the aim of educating local youths on politics and democracy and how they could be more involved. Separate issues were also on the agenda, such as the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youths, and problems within education such as early school drop outs, as well as much more, including these key address points:

• The Siaya County government was requested to support and organise youth forums to provide a platform to educate and sensitize the youths on socio economic issues surrounding the youths
• The avoidance of irresponsible and risky sexual behaviours among youths
• The value of education among youths, education being the strongest opportunity that youths have to change their own lives and those of the people in their community
• Youths to exhibit democracy and peaceful politics and should not be used as a tool to gain power
• Parents were encouraged to allow and support youths to nurture their talents. i. e football, athletics among sports activities

Ace Africa participated by mobilising the community through community volunteers, who helped Ace to organise the day, including providing refreshments, as well as the provision of HIV centres where counselling and testing took place, involving 91 youths. In addition, other medical services including cancer screening and a male circumcision clinic were also provided on the day.

HIV Testing at the International Youth Day Event

Overall the day was a huge success, with the whole community who attended thoroughly enjoying the event, and the provision of many stimulating discussions and medical services being much appreciated by the locals.