In India the current proportion of the population under 25 years is estimated at 51% and under 35 years at 66%. A large number of youth live in the countryside and they remain deeply affected by poverty and lack of opportunities. Although many are in search of a more meaningful life, they are often discouraged, disillusioned and unmotivated to change things.
In light of this, in 2007 we initiated the Youth Development Program with the aim of building up capacity and effective leadership in rural youth. For SOPAR people’s empowerment is at the cornerstone of development and the entire process starts in the mind; self-esteem and self-confidence in each person’s own abilities are crucial. We hope to capture the energy and spirit of the young people, encouraging them to transform their communities.
We have modeled this new initiative upon the experience and success of our Women Development Program. We have 2635 youth participants’ between 18-25 years of age that are spread across 38 villages in the State of Andhra Pradesh; the majority of them are school dropouts and 80% are unemployed. At the village level, they are formed into groups of 10 and they participate in monthly gatherings facilitated by a coordinator.
Two years after its inception, the initial results of SOPAR’s Youth Program are highly encouraging and seem to indicate for a positive impact in the years to come.
Personal growth
When the group meets with their coordinator, they discuss ways to improve their lives and to be more proactive about their situation. This training is the most important activity because it’s related to change of attitude in youth. They learn how to become more self-confident and to rely on their own capacities and resources. It can be quite overwhelming for them to be faced with many developmental challenges at the community level, but they soon realize it’s possible to improve their life one project at the time.
Skills training and employment opportunities
While the program doesn’t provide employment, it provides youth with opportunities to develop their skills and find solutions to unemployment. For example hundreds of youth participated in a visit at the National Institute for Rural Development; others received a specialized training on operating construction equipment and modern construction technology through a collaboration with a local company and finally a seminar was offered to participants on developing communication skills. With this assistance many youth were able to find employment. Every year a big convention gathers the participating youth from all the villages. In 2008, the convention theme was leadership in a modern society whereas in 2009 it was the role of youth in building integrity in society. These conventions bring the youth together for a positive and motivating event. They become aware that they are not alone and that united they can become powerful instruments of change in society.
Youth Contributing to Community Development
The most important aspect of our work with youth is about building up self-esteem and skills through tangible projects. We provide youth with opportunities to exert their leadership and to become agents of change in their own lives and within their families and communities. The youth groups have assisted community schools by ensuring that teacher absenteeism is controlled, that the mid-day meals program is enforced and they help schools get access to water and sanitation. Through the “clean and green” initiative they planted trees, cleaned roads and other public areas. They organized rain storage systems for houses and they coordinated the installation of water purification systems.
