Youth empowerment across continents, celebrating World Youth Skills Day

16 young Italians had the chance to enhance their life skills through a summer camp in Uganda.

Countries Uganda
Sectors
Date 15.07.2024

Each year on July 15th, the world celebrates World Youth Skills Day, recognizing the importance of equipping young people who are over 50% of the population with the necessary tools to succeed. This year, 16 young Italians from the AVSI summer camp program visited Uganda and created a memorable experience during their interactions with Ugandan youth.

Learning through active participation

The AVSI summer camp program offers an opportunity for young adults over 16 years to gain firsthand experience with its projects in Uganda and Kenya. This program attracts close to 40 participants annually and allows them to work alongside national implementing partners on initiatives such as organizing recreational activities for children, assisting in physiotherapy sessions and engaging in the Distance Support program day to day activities.

Anna Morabito who is 18 years old studies in Milan, she joined the summer campus program in her last year of high school. Initially hesitant about traveling far from home, Anna was inspired by stories from friends who had previously participated in the same program. She shared, "One of my best friends asked me if I could join them on this trip to Uganda. I wasn’t so sure because it was the first time traveling far from home, but when I listened to people's stories from Africa especially Uganda, I was encouraged."

Anna Morabito, a young student involved in a summer camp in Uganda with AVSI
ANNA MORABITO, A YOUNG STUDENT INVOLVED IN A SUMMER CAMP IN UGANDA WITH A CHILD SUPPORTED BY THE DISTANCE SUPPORT PROGRAM WITH AVSI

Anna's journey in Uganda strengthens her ability to express love and compassion. "I have learned to express deeper love to others. Supporting physiotherapy here has been a way for me to share love, and in a certain way, one also receives it," Anna elaborated.

Anna's passion for music found a beautiful platform in Uganda. “I've always loved being around children. Singing is another passion I have, and it was a pleasurable experience connecting with the Meeting Point International* (*AVSI local partner in Kampala) women through song. We sang together for hours, and I shared something I love dearly," she recounted. This conversation is a great example of the program's main goal: a journey where youth can discover themselves by sharing the beauty and needs of people from different cultures, realizing that we all have the same heart, which unifies us regardless of color, situation, or religion.

Building bridges with basketball

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Ettore Bestetti from Monza arrived prepared to share a different skillset. “My main goal was to discover a new culture and environment, meet new people, and to help in any way I could," he explained. The generosity of Ugandans made a big impact on Ettore, even for those who didn’t have much to give. This has inspired Ettore to adopt a similar approach in his own life.

Ettore Bestetti, an Italian student, plays with Ugandan students during a summer camp with AVSI in Uganda
Ettore Bestetti, an Italian student, plays with Ugandan students during a summer camp with AVSI in Uganda

The summer camp experience Anna, Ettore and 14 others were involved in shows us what World Youth Skills Day is all about. As young people they aren't just growing themselves but using their experiences to improve people’s lives.

Their time in Uganda is a manifestation of AVSI Foundation's commitment to raising global awareness and cultural exchange among young people.  On World Youth Skills Day, their stories are a reminder of how young people hold the potential to make real-life differences and change one community at a time.

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