Youth, Development and Peace (YDP) 2004

Victor Abongwa, who at 16 was the youngest participant, talked about Caravan No SIDA, a Bank-sponsored caravan that traveled around Cameroon to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Victor became an HIV/AIDS activist after participating in this project.

“Participants were amazed and pleased, and at the same time were surprised to learn that artists voluntarily composed and wrote songs and gave free concerts during this Caravan. Other participants [mentioned] starting such a project back in their own countries. They were even more surprised when they heard of the nationwide coverage. When my presentation was over, [they asked questions], such as ‘What difficulties did you encounter?’ ‘How long did it take?’ ‘Why only school children?’ ‘Why the artists?,’ he wrote.”