In a powerful and timely message to young people facing mounting economic and social pressures, Omam Esther Moeneni & Eringo, Executive Director of Reach Out Cameroon, has delivered a stirring call to action rooted in resilience, self-reliance, and hope.
Speaking from both personal experience and years of community leadership, Moeneni framed Youth Day's challenges not as a dead end, but as a defining moment for a generation often misunderstood and underestimated. “Times are hard. We all know it,” she acknowledged. “But difficult times do not mean impossible times.”
A Message Forged in Experience
Addressing young people directly, the Global Peace Champion, and Country Chair for Monitoring and Motivation, emphasized that her words were not theoretical, but shaped by lived experience. “I speak to you not only as a leader, but as someone who has walked through storms and still believes deeply in tomorrow,” she said.
Her message cuts against the narrative of despair frequently associated with youth unemployment and limited opportunities. Instead, she described today’s young people as a “rising generation”, not a lost one, reminding them that history’s greatest breakthroughs often emerge during seasons of intense pressure.
The Future Starts Now
Central to Moeneni’s message was the idea that the future is not a distant event waiting to happen, but something actively built through everyday choices. “The future does not begin tomorrow. It begins now,” she stressed, pointing to decisions around skills development, innovation, and entrepreneurship as the building blocks of long-term success.
She urged young people to invest in learning practical skills, testing ideas, and starting small businesses even with limited capital driven by determination rather than perfect conditions.
From Survival to Creation
Moeneni reframed resilience as more than endurance. “Resilience is not just about surviving. It is about building, even when conditions are not perfect.”
Drawing on global examples, she highlighted how youth across the world are transforming communities through agriculture, digital skills, creative industries, local processing, and social entrepreneurship. Importantly, she challenged the belief that success must be found abroad or in major cities. “Wealth is not only created in big cities or foreign lands. It can be created right where you are, with what you have.”
A Call to Self-Reliance and Action
Throughout her address, Moeneni repeatedly emphasized clear, intentional choices that define character and destiny. “Choose self-reliance over dependency.
Choose skills over excuses.
Choose action over complaint.”
She encouraged young people to respond creatively to setbacks, urging them to “build another door” when one closes. Practical pathways she outlined included forming cooperatives, learning trades, using technology responsibly, adding value to local products, and exploring sectors such as agriculture, green economy initiatives, services, and digital solutions.
Integrity as Capital
Beyond economic empowerment, Moeneni Omam Esther placed strong emphasis on personal integrity. “Protect your integrity. Stay away from destructive habits that steal your future,” she warned.
She reminded young people that dignity comes from honest work, regardless of its size, and that every legitimate effort strengthens both the individual and the nation. “No honest work is small.”
A Collective Rise
Concluding her message, the Reach Out Cameroon Executive Director returned to a theme of collective responsibility and shared progress. “You are stronger than the challenges before you. You are more creative than the obstacles around you. You are more powerful than the fear inside you.”
Her final call was not one of isolation, but unity.“Let us build together. Let us rise together. Let us create together.”
With unwavering confidence, she left young people with a simple but profound affirmation: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.
I believe in you.”
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