Youth Activities adversely affected by Covid19
The Easter Monday Youth Group of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio is facing numerous challenges in running their annual activities for instance bicycle-riding competition among others since the outbreak of the global corona virus pandemic.
The Easter Monday Youth Group of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio is facing numerous challenges in running their annual activities for instance bicycle-riding competition among others since the outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic.
According to Mr. Justin Gbaaznde, the monitoring and evaluation officer in the diocese and who is also the secretary of Easter Monday foundation, most of their activities are usually conducted around Easter seasons; however this year owing to COVID 19, most of the diocesan pastoral activities could not be done as the country government had imposed lockdown to curb the possible spread of the virus.
“With the support from our Bishop, Barani Edwardo Hiiboro, Easter Monday Youth Group had established a small restaurant to help generate income for the group, unfortunately, due to coronavirus pandemic, everything has been brought to a standstill,” Justin explained adding that the worst part of it is that the number of active members has reduced from 35 to only ten.
Because the activities of the group have been crippled due to COVID 19 pandemic, Justin is now appealing to well-wishers to offer any kind of support that can help the group revive its activities. He added that they had plans of opening an internet café and also open other catering services but the pandemic has led to financial constraints.
Easter Monday Youth Group is a self-help group for the young people in the diocese which carries out voluntary activities of
evangelizing to the community in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio. It was initiated by his Lordship Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kusalla, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio, first to proclaim the good news of the Lord’s resurrection, the good news of our salvation, the good news of overcoming evil, the good news of hope. The group was thus established in the year 2014 with the aim of promoting activities that will uphold the culture of peace and unity among the community members.
The most popular activity of the group is the annual bicycle riding competition that is usually conducted in the entire diocese and is usually held to celebrate the Easter season thus the name Easter Monday Youth Group.
By Joseph Ernesto Chakaya
