Young people from across west Africa gathered recently for a first-ever meeting of the region’s Pathfinder clubs.  The Pathfinder organization-a worldwide network of youth clubs that encourages faith, good citizenship, and outdoor activities-is operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The historic Sahel gathering, called a “Pathfinder Camporee,” involved 18 clubs representing five countries-Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, and Togo.

A number of local officials attended, including the village chief, the head of police for the region, and the local prefect. The prefect, who is Muslim, addressed the 325 Pathfinders present. “The Adventist youth are proving that the ones who say that youth and religion are incompatible are fully wrong,” he said. The prefect urged the young people to “do your best and keep up in serving God and humanity.” [William Anderson McRae]