The Caravane continues its journey having just completed the third and fourth leg of its journey through Togo and Burkina Faso. The Caravane has already greeted over 10,000 young people in four countries of West Africa and it continues its journey in the Ivory Coast tomorrow. Read about the events and initiatives that took place in Togo and Burkina Faso here.
On October 26th 2012, the Caravane crossed the border of BENIN to TOGO, welcoming the young volunteers with a Launch Ceremony held in Lomé.
This ceremony was highlighted by the African Youth Declaration for Road Safety, which was personally given to the representative of the Minister of Transport, Colonel Essowè BAOUNA, Director of Roads and Railroads Transports in Togo. The Caravanners also honoured the presence of a representative of the WHO (World Health Organization) in Togo.
Throughout their 7-days journey in Togo, the caravanners had the opportunity to participate in the famous prayer of Tabaski, as well as to relax from their awareness activities with all distributed tools (AlcoVision Goggles, Distract-A-Match Game, Egg’s Helmet, etc.) with other local youngsters, on the beach of Lomé.
The Caravane ready to depart for Burkina Faso
On Friday, 2nd of November 2012, Burkina Faso, now in turn welcomes the Caravane in the city of Koupela (selected city for the launch of the Caravane’s activities in the country).
Young road safety volunteers in Burkina Faso welcome the Caravane from Togo.
Arriving at approximately 2:00 pm, the 18 young caravanners (10 from Niger, 4 from Benin, 4 of Togo and 3 technicians) were very excited to discover this new country to sensitize its youngsters.
The activities of this day were essentially punctuated with the courtesy visits to the authorities within the framework of the Launch Ceremony, by providing them with the African Youth Declaration, and asking them to commit. The Caravanners could therefore meet: the Traditional Leader – Naaba YEMDE, a delegation of the City Hall of Koupela, and the Police. These visits were the opportunity to present them the various points highlighted by the Declaration, and to achieve the Caravane’s purpose to inform and make the population and youngsters aware of the risks of bad driving behaviours and the dangers met in traffic. See more photos from Togo in the right column gallery.
Then, the Caravane left Koupela at around 7:00 pm for the capital city of Burkina Faso: Ouagadougou.
The 2nd day (3rd November), in Burkina Faso, was punctuated by two main activities: a raising awareness action in the School Complex called “Saint Viateur”, and of a guided tour in the International Crafts Fair of Ouagadougou.
The first one attracted lots of youngsters, mainly high school students (Sophomores to Seniors). This activity allowed to show these youngsters the importance of wearing a helmet in traffic. Through educational yet entertaining games, we proved them the necessity of NOT driving under the influence of alcohol, which can seriously endanger not only their life, but others’ life as well. Finally, posters were set within the establishment and reflective stickers were distributed to all students.
Youth delegates hand over the African Youth Declaration for Road Safety to the Burkinabe Minister
On November 4th in Ouagadougou, the Caravanners were warmly received by the Burkinabe government and proceeded to the delivery of the African Youth Declaration for Road safety to the Minister of Transport. This latter welcomed us in restricted audience with the media, and enjoyed a photo-shooting with the youngsters. Until the rest of the Caravane’s journey on the Burkinabe territory, several activities took place in schools, on the streets, and in youngsters recreational settings. The Caravane left Burkina Faso on the 7th of November, happy of its huge success, to go sensitize youngsters from the Ivory Coast…
The Caravane continues its journey into the Ivory Coast! Read more about Caravane here.