The two-week students' empowerment training program organised by the Institute for Domestic and International Affairs (IDIA), a civic education NGO from New Jersey, in collaboration with Better Africa Youth Initiative (BAYI), The Gambia, ended over the weekend at the Anglican Technical College in Farafenni, North Bank Region.

The training program brought together participants from various schools in Greater Banjul Area and Farafenni. Samuel Ojo, principal of the Anglican Technical Mission and Anglican Mission Upper Basic Schools, applauded the two institutions, IDIA and BAYI, for their initiative in organising such a training.

According to him, the training will help the students a lot as "going by the topics they have covered, they have learnt the importance of deep thinking, self-confidence and how to interact with each other in public places. Before, most students found it difficult to stand up without fear to express themselves in public but with the daily individual presentations during the training, they are fully confident of themselves".

Ali Sulayman, one of the students from the host school, described the training as "fantastic" as they were given enough time to express, discuss, and interact freely among themselves. Mai Samba, a student of Farafenni Upper Basic School also expressed similar sentiments.

Michael Hinchliffe, the executive director of the Institute for Domestic and International Affairs suggested to the students that they should seek opportunities to improve their lives and to control their own destinies. "Most importantly, they should look for ways to develop their own voices."

Akeem Aremu, director of programs at BAYI said that the training has boosted the morale of the students that had the opportunity to be part of the program.