The Birth of the Young Quakers Christian Association
During the beginning of 1980s, African Quakers experienced a major split of yearly meetings which caused divisions that transformed into violence. The most affected were the youth and women.
Youth were misused into fighting their brothers in terms of difference in administrative boundaries of the different yearly meetings.
Early 1991 while at a world gathering at Mbale High School in Kenya, the youth saw a sense of belonging to each other and decided to get back together and co-exist in peace.
They met and shared the vision of young Adult friends in bringing peace to unite the church in Africa which was in tatters.
Due to financial constrains, they lagged behind until 1996, when FWCC- Friends World Committee for Consultation Africa Section agreed to buy their idea and supported by fundraising.
In December 19997, YQCA had its first gathering in Kaimosi Teachers College bringing together over eight hundred (800) participants with a few friends from overseas.
It was during this gathering that YQCA aligned its objectives into issue-based objectives. Such were:
* To promote peace among young Quakers and the entire Quaker church by extension.
* To develop bridges of cooperation among the youth through the yearly meetings and groups of Quakers from Africa.
* To develop and promote leadership Training within the Society of Friends in Africa.
* To act as a link between the local meetings and the outside world.
* To promote exchange programmes for idea and experience sharing.
* To build network within the Quaker community and other ecumenical setups.
* To gather young people aged between 15 to 40 years into conferences and gatherings for worship and experience sharing.
Since then, YQCA has had its membership drawn from 21 yearly meetings and four other Quaker groups in Africa.
As one of its objectives, it’s generally bringing together Young Adult Friends of ages 15-40 from member yearly meetings.
YQCA meets every three years in Triennial gatherings for the purpose of sharing experience, developments of ideas, review of objectives and any other business as recommended by the general board.
The general board constitutes office bearers and three members from each member yearly meeting. It meets bi-annually to discuss the issues and agendas in between the triennial gatherings.