NW Youth Parliamentarians Equip Ex-Combatants with Income-Generating Skills at Bamenda DDR Centre

By Martial Gnoukapasir 

A composite image of DDR Bamenda Director Kum Henry and ex-combatants producing liquid soap

The Youth Parliamentary Network for the North West Region has equipped some ex-combatants at the Bamenda Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Centre with practical skills aimed at supporting their reintegration into society and providing alternative sources of income.

Carried out under the ReBridge Bamenda Project, the training was an initiative of Xhuma Africa, a youth-led organisation founded by Nduku Louis, who's also the deputy regional coordinator of the Youth Parliamentary Network of the North West.

Placed under the distinguished patronage of Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prudencia, member of parliament for Momo East Mbengwi Constituency, the three-day training that ran from Thursday October 8 to Saturday 10, marked the first phase of the project, that exposed participants to various income-generating activities, including liquid and solid soap production, T-shirt printing, basic design, and environmental protection through fruit tree planting and the establishment of a tree nursery.

ex-combatants engage in liquid soap production

Ready made branded liquid soaps

The initiative also incorporated lessons on reintegration and sporting activities to encourage positive interaction, promote healthy competition and provide participants with an opportunity to relax and connect with others.

Speaking on the objectives of the project, Nduku Louis explained that the initiative was designed to go beyond providing basic humanitarian assistance by equipping ex-combatants with practical skills that could help them become financially independent after leaving the DDR Centre.

According to him, the idea emerged during an earlier visit to the centre, when members of the Youth Parliamentary Network provided basic humanitarian assistance and identified additional opportunities to engage with the ex-combatants.

He said the experience inspired the development of the ReBridge Bamenda Project, through which the team is seeking to contribute to the transformation of participants' mindsets while offering them alternatives to violence.

Nduku Louis noted that the skills acquired would enable participants to generate income through productive activities rather than resorting to violence to meet their needs.

Nduku Louis Tebi, Xhuma Africa founder and NW coordinator of youth parliamentary network

He added that the project also seeks to encourage ex-combatants who are still hiding in the bushes to lay down their arms and join the DDR programme, where they can acquire skills and prepare for a peaceful return to society.

The project, he explained, has a multiplying effect because it is youth-centred, youth-designed and youth-focused, with the potential to influence both participants and other young people within their communities.

Beyond the production of liquid and solid soap, including Omo and LaCroix, participants also learned basic resin design and T-shirt printing. They were further introduced to environmental protection practices through the creation of a tree nursery and the planting of fruit trees.

In the long term, the fruit trees are expected to provide opportunities for participants to explore fruit processing and the production of finished products such as fruit juice.

The Director of the Bamenda DDR Centre, Kum Henry Ichu, welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important contribution to the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants.

He commended the youth senators and national assembly members, for returning to the centre to share their knowledge and experiences with the residents, noting that the activities has gone a long way to reinforce skills the participants had already acquired during their stay at the facility.

Mr Kum Henry, said the ReBridge Bamenda Project, took the training a step further as it helped the over 50 participants to develop and brand the products they produced after the training.

Bamenda DDR Coordinator Kum Henry engages in tree planting together with young parliamentarians, ex combatants

He expressed appreciation to the organisers for what he described as a successful initiative, adding that the skills acquired could be developed into commercial ventures capable of providing sustainable livelihoods.

According to the DDR Centre director, the training comes at an important time as the National Coordinator of the DDR programme, Fai Yengo Francis, and other stakeholders continue to explore ways of advancing the reintegration of inmates from the Bamenda centre.

He expressed hope that the practical knowledge gained would benefit participants in the coming years and support their transition towards productive lives outside the centre.

Award of medals after sporting activities

The move by the youth parliamentarians to the Bamenda DDR Centre, was in fulfilment of a commitment made during their previous visit, where they identified opportunities where they could  further engage with the ex-combatants.

Through the ReBridge Bamenda Project, the Youth Parliamentary Network and Xhuma Africa are seeking to demonstrate how practical skills, psychosocial support and positive youth engagement can contribute to rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration.

By combining vocational training with environmental awareness, social interaction and lessons on reintegration, the initiative aims to help participants build confidence, explore legitimate income-generating opportunities and prepare for life beyond the DDR Centre.

The project also seeks to extend its impact beyond the centre by encouraging other young people still involved in armed violence to embrace disarmament, acquire practical skills and pursue peaceful alternatives to making a living.