A group of young people under the YMCA Mundri Branch have ventured into professional film production, using the power of storytelling, comedy, and drama to raise awareness about social challenges affecting their community from poverty and drug abuse to gender-based violence and corruption.
The newly launched film project is part of the youth’s ongoing campaign to promote peace, creativity, and productivity among young people.
Their debut film highlights poverty as the root cause of multiple societal vices including insecurity, crime, and gender-based violence, while calling on communities to embrace hard work and unity.
According to Mr. Emiru Emmanuel, the Branch Manager and Counselor at YMCA Mundri, the project is both a social campaign and an empowerment initiative.
“We believe developing our talents is far better than waiting for white-collar jobs, when young people come together, share ideas, and use their creativity, they can build a better future and contribute positively to society,” Emmanuel said.
He explained that despite the country’s current economic hardship, the group has remained committed to its vision by contributing small amounts from their own pockets to fund production equipment and logistics.
“We have no external funding. Whatever little we have, we put it together to make things happen. It’s our way of proving that determination and teamwork can change lives,” he added.
The YMCA, which has been operating in Mundri since 2023, aims to strengthen young people spiritually, mentally, and physically, the youth branch now plans to produce a series of short films that can later be sold to well-wishers as a means of sustaining and expanding their community projects.
The initiative also tackles critical issues such as drug abuse and gang activity among young people challenges that Emmanuel says have deepened due to trauma, unemployment, and limited psychosocial support.
“When youth abuse drugs, their mindset changes and this often leads to violence,” he said. “Through drama and comedy, we can communicate these realities in a way that sparks reflection without confrontation.”
Building on a Growing Youth Movement, this development in Mundri adds to a growing trend across Western Equatoria State where young people are turning to creative arts for advocacy and change.
In 2020, youth from Yambio County under the Community Organization for Peace, Advocacy and Democracy (COPAD) launched a similar initiative where they produced films advocating against child marriage in South Sudan.
Currently, in the state capital Yambio, another group known as the Vision Live Band is using music and entertainment to promote peace and showcase local talent.
Local observers say such initiatives represent a new generation of peace builderswho are redefining activism through art.
“These youth-driven efforts prove that art can be a powerful instrument for social transformation, when young people use creativity instead of confrontation, they create a lasting impact,” said one community analyst in Yambio.
As the YMCA Mundri youth prepare to release their next film, their message remains clear unity, creativity, and action are the most effective tools for rebuilding communities and giving young South Sudanese hope.
“If we wait for change, it may never come, but if we use our talents together, we can build the future we dream of,” Emmanuel concluded.
