By: Temitope Egunjobi
Freetown, 20th August 2026 – The Leading Youthful Digital Innovative Artistry (LYDIA) Network commemorated International Youth Day with a belated but impactful celebration on Saturday, 15 August, by mobilising young volunteers for a beach cleanup at Levuma Beach.
Launched under the theme “Together for a cleaner coast. Together for a cleaner future,” the initiative brought dozens of youths together to collect waste along the shoreline, promoting environmental health and community pride.
Founder Lydia K. Tucker explained that Levuma Beach was chosen after a two‑week survey identified it as a vulnerable community in need of intervention. “This was the perfect place to celebrate International Youth Day by giving back to the community while promoting public health,” she said. Tucker stressed that lasting change requires a shift in public attitudes toward waste disposal, noting that the Network has engaged an expert from NASCA to sensitize residents on proper community maintenance.
Community and Advocacy Officer Mabinty Thoronka described the exercise as more than just waste collection. “It was about instilling pride in the community and teaching the importance of a clean environment for better health,” she said.
Volunteer Esther Fatu Jusu echoed the sentiment, saying her passion for public health motivated her participation. “Cleaning the beach is a way to restore the community while raising awareness about the dangers of improper waste disposal,” she explained.
The LYDIA Network has consistently engaged young people in public health campaigns and climate change initiatives, reinforcing its role as a driver of youth activism and community transformation.
