YOURS is proud to provide its readers with the report from the initiative it funded through the auspices of the World Crossing Campaign. The event was organized with the funds provided by YOURS and we were incredibly impressed at the scope and reach that this fund enabled.

The theme of the event was entitled, ‘Changing Minds, Saving Lives’ and YOURS recently featured an article that detailed the aims and objctives of this ambitious project. Now, after its completion the following key milestones were reached: 

• Media Campaign (Press Briefing, newspaper publications and TV interview)
• Capacity Enhancement Programme
• Assembly Speeches
• Radio Talk Show
• School Outreach Programmes 

The first presentation ‘Reason for over representation of young people in road traffic injuries’ was facilitated by the WHO Gambia’s Health Promotion Officer-Mr. Momodou Gassama. His deliberations covered areas such as:

• Faces behind the figures;
• Number of young people dying because of road traffic injuries; 
• Profile of road users and how to prevent road traffic deaths/crashes among young
• people.

This session was interactive and gave the participants the opportunity to share experiences on accidents they witnessed.

Conclusion

Road traffic injuries aside from being a major health hazard leading to a high rate of morbidity, disability and death, have great social impact on the victims, their families and the nation. Preventing road accidents and injuries should be an important area that calls for the attention of policy makers, as it is not only crucial to the health, social and transportation sectors but it is also cost-effective.
The training was generally interesting, participatory, and successful. Participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation in the training strategy and acknowledged that it has taken them to another level as their capacities are built on issue that were not known to them before. They further pledged that they will make best use of the opportunity given to them and disseminate the information to their colleagues and the public.

The school outreach activities and radio programs also created an impact as students promised to take their rightful positions to sensitize their peers as well the drivers on their way to or from school.

YOURS Comments

YOURS emphatically congratuates the implementation of this project and commends the work of Mr Siaka. K. Dibba who was the driving force behind this project. YOURS also encourages more of these types of projects especially during the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. In the coming years, YOURS will continue to support such projects which will develop the capacity of young people around the world, especially in low and middle income countries.

The full report can be read in the attachments of this news story.

YOURS recently featured a story that highlighted the collaboration of Irish Motorsport drivers and road safety campaigners who have agreed to wear the Decade of Action Tag in an effort to promote the Decade’s mission to reduce road crashes. Now, Kenyan Athletes have plegded to do the same.