A section of youth in a group photo at Pungu village in Matuga, Kwale County in March 2025.
BY SHABAN OMAR
A Kwale-based Community-Based Organization, Children Empowerment and Development (CHED), has stepped up efforts to sensitize young people against drug abuse and insecurity through structured peace dialogues.
The initiative seeks to address social challenges affecting the youth while fostering a culture of harmony and responsible living.
As part of its broader vision for a peaceful and prosperous society, CHED is engaging local youth in discussions that highlight the dangers of substance abuse, crime, and violence.
CHED’s Broad Based Talent Initiative Project Coordinator Hamisi Magisu said creating awareness and providing mentorship, the organization aims to instill positive values and encourage constructive decision-making among young people.
CHED’s Broad Based Talent Initiative Project Coordinator Hamisi Magisu
In addition to peace advocacy, he said CHED is actively promoting resilience among the youth through talent identification and nurturing.
“The organization believes that empowering young individuals with skills in sports, arts, and other creative fields can steer them away from destructive behaviors,” he said.
Magisu said tapping into the youth’s potential, CHED seeks to provide a platform for self-expression, economic opportunities, and community development.
He further said the CBO hopes to create a generation of empowered, responsible, and productive youth who contribute positively to the region’s growth and stability.
Ng’ombeni youth leader Mohammed Abgao expressed optimism that the project will play a crucial role in nurturing talent and fostering a peaceful environment in the community.
He said that by engaging young people in meaningful activities, the initiative will help steer them away from negative influences such as crime and drug abuse.
A section of youth attends a peace dialogue session at Pungu village in Kwale County in March 2025.
Abgao said that many youth in the region resort to criminal activities due to high unemployment rates and the lack of sufficient empowerment programs.
He emphasized the need for more initiatives that provide skills development, mentorship, and economic opportunities to enable young people to become self-reliant.
He urged stakeholders, including the government and private sector, to support such projects, saying youth empowerment is key to sustainable peace and development in Kwale County.
Another beneficiary, Mesalim Juma, said that empowerment programs would play a crucial role in steering youth away from criminal activities.
She said that when young people are engaged in productive ventures, they are less likely to be influenced by crime, drug abuse, or other vices that threaten the community’s stability.
Juma expressed confidence that initiatives such as talent nurturing and peace dialogues will provide young people with opportunities to develop their skills and secure a better future.
She urged more organizations to invest in youth-focused programs, saying that a well-empowered generation is the key to long-term peace and development in the region.
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