Every year, LEAP Africa organises a week-long Pan-African youth social impact campaign in August called the Youth Day of Service (YDOS). The YDOS, which coincides with the United Nations International Youth Day, emphasises the importance of youths contributing towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, mainly through volunteerism.
What has the YDOS achieved so far?
The YDOS started in 2020 and has impacted over 24 countries and 6 million people, engaged 7,000 volunteers with a 4% participation rate of persons with disabilities, and commissioned 600 SDG projects.
In the 2022 edition of YDOS, due to the hard work of many youth volunteers, projects cutting across the 17 SDG goals were implemented in 24 countries. Some of these projects include:
SDG 1: No poverty:
Acquisition sessions were conducted to empower people to earn incomes, and about 200 individuals benefited.
SD2 2: No hunger:
290 households and 650 individuals received food aid through food distribution services conducted in Lagos and Johannesburg, South Africa.
SDG 3: Good health and well-being:
Volunteers organised over 20 sensitisation programmes and donated healthcare products to patients and hospitals.
SDG 4: Quality education:
A record 300 students were reached through school outreach, and learning materials were distributed to the schools.
SDG 5: Gender equality :
The projects set up to achieve this goal involved skill acquisition sessions for girls and women and activities targeted at gender-based violence.
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation:
Many youths volunteered towards this sustainable goal as there were more than 30 community clean-ups across Africa, and a water tank was constructed in Cameroon.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
This sustainable goal ensures everyone can access affordable and modern energy sources. Therefore, to this effect, training on producing cheap and affordable energy was held in Nigeria and Zambia with more than 10 community sensitisation programmes.
You can find more information on the SDG projects for YDOS 2022 here.
When does YDOS 2023 start?
This year, YDOS will be held across Africa from August 12 to 31, and it’s open to all African youths between the ages of 15-35.
How can I help with YDOS this year?
The YDOS theme for this year is “Youth and Useful”, and the official hashtag: #YDOS2023. Participation in this campaign is free, and if you’re interested in volunteering or donating to this cause, you can do so here.
