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Kyeongchan Yang Youth Interactive Correspondent

Preparations for the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Zimbabwe festival are at an advanced stage with organisers confirming participants and schools.

The three-day festival which will begin from October 30 to November 1 is set to take place at the City Sports Centre and will have different types of activities such as mind lectures, cultural performances, a culture expo, a talent show, and a free academy among others. 

“There will not be any kind of discrimination everyone is welcomed including Government officials, media, enterprises, heads of schools, teachers, lecturers, international language translators, college students, university students, working classes and those with disabilities are welcome to take part,” said the organisers.

IYF is a Christian-based organization that seeks to provide the foundations for sound leadership, by guiding youths to break free from their limitations to experience possibilities that exist beyond their scope of understanding. 

IYF Southern Africa chairman Professor Shim said the fellowship and conference aim to aspire, to provide opportunities for young people in Zimbabwe to pursue their dreams. 

“The talent show within the program allows individuals to unleash their hidden talents and compete with one another.” 

“I recall a comment made by a leader from one of the participating teams last year. They mentioned that most of the team members had previously struggled with drug addiction, but while preparing for this competition, they found themselves too engrossed to indulge in negative habits. I desire to create opportunities for young people in Zimbabwe to ignite their passion and achieve their goals,” he said. 

Shim also yearns to share the stories of individuals who have overcome hardships and developed a hopeful outlook on life. 

“I firmly believe that the future of Zimbabwe lies in the hands of its youth, and their dreams will become a reality for the future of the country.”

He said one of the ongoing initiatives is the preparation for our second Dream Camp, following the success of the previous year. 

“This event aims to engage not only teenagers but also citizens from all walks of life. Participants will have the opportunity to attend lectures, have fun, and showcase their talents,” said Professor Shim. 

The chairman said in May 2015, at a UNESCO Forum in Incheon, Korea, he met ministers from various countries through the introduction of the Minister of Education of Eswatini.

“One of the individuals I met was Zimbabwe’s Minister of Higher Education officials, by then and we introduced our mind education program to them.”

“This encounter led me to visit Harare, Zimbabwe two months later. I returned to Zimbabwe as country director of the IYF Zimbabwe branch, Pastor Dr Ock Soo Park, the founder of IYF, has been my spiritual mentor throughout my journey. He advised me to choose a country to reside in and continue this work,” he said.

“Currently, we have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with several government agencies in Zimbabwe, including the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Prisons and Correctional Services, City of Harare, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. Through these partnerships, we have not only reached out to the Zimbabwean youth but also engaged Ministry of Education officials, civil servants, and pastors. We have invited them to visit Korea, where they can attend world conventions and various conferences, fostering international exchanges.” 

Dr Ock Soo Park is an evangelist based in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea as well and the (IYF) founder said wants to raise leaders with global insight through youth education, and activities, and provide realistic solutions to problems in the global village. 

“It is the first ever to be launched in Zimbabwe since it has been dispatched to 1200 (IYF) branches in over 125 countries around the world, in the sector of social service we support local NGO’s activities in education, health community development, foster talented global citizens with various international educations through sharing services. It’s going to be one of the most memorable experiences to the youths of Zimbabwe and its nationwide.” 

“It has been a long time since youths have become a problem in society through self-indulgence, deviation, drugs, alcohol, and crime this is an opportunity for them to come and learn since there will be 12 delegates that will be joining us straight from South Korea as well as our very own local guest speakers to help us end this transgression in this 21st century, so it shouldn’t be something to miss out,” said professor Shim. 

“As (IYF) we are encouraging you all to come in your numbers and witness the three-day international Dream Camp Zimbabwe. Few buses will be sent to different locations and if there are changes we will publicly notify you.” 

“My dream for (IYF) is that it allows young people to open up their hearts and learn to accept the people around them. This will lead to happiness and longing to create happiness for others,” explained the organisers.