“I believe in the strength of young people”

• Share
• Tweet

– Oct 24, 2011

Mohamed Samba Kamara was just beginning his first year of primary school when a brutal ten year civil war broke out in Sierra Leone. Much of his childhood was spent separated from family, living in fear of attacks from rebel forces and witness to appalling atrocities.

In 2003, soon after peace was restored, War Child Canada established a presence to support those who had survived the war, which had effectively killed an generation. Even today the average age in Sierra Leone is just 19. Mohamed was just 15 when he joined War Child’s program. His experiences had left him angry and traumatized. The program used music and drama to help children express themselves. Mohamed was drawn to music and his natural ability was clear to everyone. Music provided the perfect emotional outlet and allowed him to rescue his childhood and turn his life around.

War Child detected and fostered Mohamed’s leadership potential. He was encouraged to use music and drama to lead trainings for other students. When asked what he wanted to do in the future, he replied ‘I want to start my own organization to help rebuild Sierra Leone’. War Child’s encouragement inspired him to gather together friends and organize towards making this dream happen. Each friend contributed their own money to start the business, and with the advisory support of War Child and the financial backing of SQE, they began to learn the necessary skills for running a not for profit organization of their own.

At the age of 23, Mohamed (who goes by the stage name, Luxsonjay) is now Director of Artists United for Children and Youth Development (AUCAYD). Together with 8 skilled and ambitious young staff members and over 25 volunteers – all of whom have overcome great adversity - AUCAYD is seeking to cultivate and promote the creative talents of young people in order to spread information about the issues they are facing, to encourage self reliance and to help build a peaceful Sierra Leone.

AUCAYD is educating and motivating hundreds of children and young people across the country through their school network and through a new initiative at a youth prison. They have a video production studio and recording studio, which allows them to record their music and make short information films, and they are connecting with young people through a weekly radio show. The group has also established a community resource centre, providing local students with access to the internet, books and educational resources.

Through all these channels, AUCAYD is able to spread messages of peace and healthy living while educating the young population of Sierra Leone about issues such as human rights, the importance of hygiene, protection of the environment and the risk of HIV/AIDS. 

“I believe in the strength of young people.” Mohamed says “If a country is to grow they need to be educated, they are the backbone.” With War Child’s support, Mohamed discovered his potential and pursued his dreams. determination, wisdom and enthusiasm is now inspiring other youth to do the same.
 

Categories: From The Field,
Tags: aucayd, hicvaids, luxsonjay, music, peace building, sierra leone,

Comments