The youthful volunteers of Y-PEERs and My Life, My Decision utilized the Khareef Festival to spread awareness about drug addiction and drug combat
A group of nine volunteers supported by UNFPA, the United Nations Populations Fund, Sub-Regional Office for the GCC Countries from Y-PEER, the Youth Peer Education Network, and the volunteer group of the National Committee for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, My Life, My Decision, departed to Salalah on August 27 to celebrate and utilize the Khareef Festival to raise awareness about the various harmful effects of drugs and its prevention methods.
The volunteers did a remarkable job of attracting and briefing the youth and adults about the various negative aspects of drug addiction on their life and health. the visitors were also informed them about the different ways it can be combated. Apart from this topic, other UNFPA mandated issues were also addressed. The volunteers used innovative art techniques to convey the message of drug combat, such as their newly attained skills in puppet art and shadow techniques, to ‘Edutain' (educate and entertain) the audience about the respective issues.
Witnessing the active and zealous activities of the volunteers; the Omani Road Safety Association (ORSA) invited the volunteers to hold a fun and an interactive session about the awareness of road safety and traffic rules among children. This activity was much enjoyed by the youngsters and the adults. The volunteers were also invited by the Dhofar Public Prosecution to join hands and part take in their activities. Apart from this, the Y-PEERs and the Oman National Youth Committee had a friendly collaboration and participated in activities that was very distinctive and innovative.
The support obtained from the media partners was tremendous. Two volunteers of Y-PEER and My Life My Decision were interviewed by Majan Television, a private Arabic television channel. Radio Oman aired an interactive discussion with the Y-Peers, where two volunteers spoke from the studio and two spoke live from Salalah. The press and publishing partners in both Arabic and English supported the event by publishing the successful activities of the volunteers.
Here are the online links to the published articles and you can also find the press releases in ‘Latest Publication column.
Arabic:
Al Shabiba:
http://shabiba.com/Archive/Article-20230.aspx
Al Watan:
http://www.alwatan.com/graphics/2013/09SEP/PDF/pdf06.9/05.pdf
English:
The Week:
http://www.theweek.co.om/disCon.aspx?Cval=7305
Muscat Daily:
http://bit.ly/1eGvToy
Times of Oman:
http://bit.ly/14LRp7E
http://bit.ly/1573On0
Oman daily Observer:
http://main.omanobserver.om/?p=9707
http://main.omanobserver.om/?p=12096
