By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
More than 250 young Cameroonians have been called on to become ambassadors of peace and prevention in their communities. The appeal came from Cécile Akame Mfoumou, President of the Cameroonian Red Cross, during a ceremony in Yaoundé on August 27.
The event marked the close of the 8th edition of Vacances Secours, Vacances Loisirs, a programme designed to turn school holidays into a meaningful and productive experience for young people.
The initiative, which ran from June 8 to August 21, combined learning, prevention, solidarity, and leisure. According to officials, the program gave participants a chance to grow personally while also gaining skills that would benefit those around them.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Cécile Akame Mfoumou encouraged the young graduates to see the end of the programme as just the beginning of their journey.
“Today’s ceremony marks the end of an activity, but it must above all not mark the end of your commitment,” she said. “On the contrary, it must constitute a starting point in your actions. You are now called upon to be awareness relays for your families, within your schools, in your neighbourhoods, in your communities, and even in your friend groups.”
She indicated that this year’s edition was especially significant because of its unique and original approach and it also offered a wonderful opportunity to combine different elements that made the holiday period both useful and enriching.
The 250 young participants received specific training to build their operational capacity. They learned about the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, first aid techniques, and how to prevent and fight gender-based violence.
The goal according to Cécile Akame Mfoumou was not just to share theory but to give each child practical skills and civic reflexes that could help them act effectively in emergencies and contribute positively to their communities.
Cécile Akame Mfoumou stressed that first aid is not only for health professionals. “Knowing how to recognise an emergency situation, protect a victim, alert emergency services, and provide the appropriate initial gestures can save a life,” she explained.
She added that the young people were also introduced to psychological first aid, which teaches that someone facing an accident, disaster, violence, or trauma needs not only physical care but also kind listening, support, and proper accompaniment.
Discussions on gender-based violence going by officials also helped the participants understand the different forms of violence, their consequences, and the importance of promoting a culture based on respect, dignity, equality, and the protection of vulnerable people.
Through citizenship education, they were reminded that every young person has a role to play in community development. “Being a citizen means knowing one’s rights and duties, respecting others, preserving public property, promoting peace, and participating in the actual development of one’s community,” Cécile Akame Mfoumou said.
The training also covered climate change, making the youths aware of the environmental challenges facing the planet and Cameroon in particular. Cécile Akame Mfoumou emphasised that young people have an essential role in protecting the environment, reducing disaster risks, and encouraging responsible and sustainable behaviour. She gave the graduates clear advice for their future actions.
“When you are faced with an emergency situation, remember the skills you learned,” she told them. “When you meet a person in distress, recall the importance of listening and benevolence. When you witness violence or a situation of discrimination, keep in mind that silence and inaction must not be the answer. When your environment is threatened, remember that its protection also begins with your own behaviour. And when your community needs volunteers, keep in mind that volunteering is above all a commitment to serving others.”
She urged them to share what they had learned and to raise awareness around them. “Be actors and ambassadors of prevention, solidarity, and peace,” she added. The young participants promised to use their new knowledge to help make society better.
Officials at the event praised the Cameroonian Red Cross for the initiative, noting that it goes a long way in helping children develop their understanding of humanitarian principles and services. The Cameroon Red Cross also provide back to school materials for the children.
Through Vacances Secours, Vacances Loisirs, the organisation aims to offer an alternative to purely recreational holidays, allowing young people to use their free time to gain useful skills, strengthen their sense of solidarity, and better understand their place in society.
