Youth receiving certificates on completion of their training program

 Youth in Nepal

Youth power is the property of the nation. Youth is the change agent of the economy; leading on economic, social and cultural transformation. But youth needs to have creativity, learning capability, self-confidence and the environment to achieve these goals.

Youth represents 38.8 % of the total population of Nepal. Youth is the builder of the holistic development of the nation. The objective is to bring all youth into the mainstream of Nepali life.

It is necessary to engage youth – for freedom and for women’s rights – to establish a democratic value in society and to preserve the environment. In Nepal, youth is playing vital role in political change.

Why we need a program

Many Nepali youth come from rural, often remote, areas of the country and are disadvantaged by poor education (theoretical not practical), limited opportunities to develop skills and to learn new skills, and by not being highly motivated or self-empowered to be creative. Their lives are at a crossroads.

Youth in rural areas is moist vulnerable – those who have lost their family, their homes, their parents and their friends because of past conflict. Many also suffer physical handicaps, and will have missed out on education and learning opportunities. They may be abused or drug abusers. Many are working outside Nepal, some illegally, and mainly in poor, low paid jobs. The problem is particularly acute in the remote and more extreme geographical locations. There is no support from either government or non-government sources. But the main problem and the biggest challenge is unemployment. Without family and friends their opportunities to work are limited, and they become marginalised in society.

Background to the Training Program

Youth should be involved in community development because they live in and belong to their community, and have a vested interest in its future prosperity and success. If youth is not connected and not respected they have the power to undermine their community. Involving youth in the development of their community therefore encourages them to become stakeholders in their community and to care about it. Every community is being challenged by its youth; unfortunately often in a destructive rather than constructive way. No serious community development effort can possibly succeed, much less be sustained, without engaging the creativity and energy of youth.

Youth Capacity Development Program

This program is aimed at youth between the ages of 16 and 29.

The program helps youth to find the right way for their personal development and the development of their local community. It also enables youth to assess their capacity, find themselves and their role in the community, and to develop their skills, capacity and capability.

The program is based on the following premises:

• Create a culture in which youth and adults respect each other and share responsibility.
• Create a just and compassionate society in which the focus is on the individual in community, and in which peace, justice and equality are valued and supported.
• Create a space where young people feel and are safe.
• Create a culture of appreciation.
• Transfer practical, usable skills to youth.
• Be conscious stewards of relationships who value mentoring, modeling, and an openness to learning.
• Create opportunities for youth to find their own path and identity.

Role of the volunteer

Volunteer with local youth

Volunteers will work in the local community with two Nepali trainers to assist in the delivery of the Youth Capacity Training Programs. The role of the volunteer will depend upon their knowledge and experience.

On arrival, volunteers will have their own two-day induction training course in Kathmandu. The course provides background on the situation in Nepal and in the local community where the training program takes place, as well as an introduction to key elements of the training program – capacity building and peace building, developing Action Plans, and leadership development. The minimum stay is two weeks which includes the induction course, travel to and from the local community and the training program itself.

Depending on their experience, volunteers will lead training classes or work with Nepali trainers to deliver the training programs, which are run in the local community for between 10 and 20 youth, working three or four hours a day, sometimes in the evening depending on the needs of the participants. Each training program lasts for one week for each group. The classes are based on group work, which is highly participative, lively and exciting. Volunteers may run similar training programs in other communities, or work with communities helping them to develop and implement their Action Plans.

Volunteers should have a good knowledge of the English language, a strong feeling of social service and community, and enthusiasm for the objectives of the training program. They should be flexible, comfortable working with people from different social and cultural backgrounds, and possess good inter-personal skills. Training experience is a big advantage but not essential.

Capacity building is an important aspect of the training program and volunteers with special skills may wish to become involved in vocational training programs or pass on other skills. There is also scope within the training program to encourage small-scale entrepreneur skills at community level.

Volunteer opportunity is available. Apply Now !