The Western Region Youth Parliament of the National Youth Parliament of The Gambia, recently concluded its 2010 summer leadership training camp held in Sintet village in Foni Jarrol District of Western Region.

The theme of this year's summer camp was "Yes, we can do it".  The event which was attended by 35 young parliamentarians focused on communication, skills building, public speaking, youth leadership and mental health. They also embarked on community based activities such as; cleansing exercise at the Sintet Health Centre, tree planting exercise at the Brumang Bridge, Kalagi Community Forest and Sintet Fula Kunda.

The summer camp also witnessed the conduct of a mini congress for the positions of clerk and deputy clerk that went vacant in the executive committee of the Regional Youth Parliament, following the resignation of Hon. Lamin Bah and Hon. Alieu Sowe respectively. The congress therefore elected Hon. Maisey Bojang of Kombo North as clerk and Hon. Yerro Bah of Foni Jarrol as deputy clerk.

According to Hon. Aminata Hydara, speaker of the Western Region Youth Parliament, the aim of the camp is to build the capacity of young people to help and guide the underprivileged and marginalised young people in society. The youth, she said, are the driving force for any meaningful development to take place. Therefore, she added, youth leaders need to be well-equipped with the necessary information and skills to help make life better for all young people.  She further appealed for more support for the youth organisations.

Hon. Hydara also noted that the youths are innovative and proactive and they really want to make an impact on the socio-economic development of the country. She then expressed gratitude to the Association for Technical, Social and Cultural Development (ATSCD) of Farato, Saamasang Youth and Children Development Association, and the University of The Gambia Students Service Learning Association (UTGSSLA) for taking part in the summer camp.

She also thanked the youth parliamentarians in the United States of America for their contribution and natives of Sintet Fula Kunda for their support during the camping. She finally commended the Regional Youth Parliamentarians for their support to the successful organisation of the Youth Summer Leadership Camp.