Youth in Crisis

In Madagascar, many young people lack access to skills training and employment opportunities (40% of young people are unemployed). Those most affected are orphans, school drop outs, young women and young people living in rural areas, who tend to find temporary work as unqualified labourers, which offers little job security.

Y Care International is working to give vulnerable young people the skills they need to find stable employment. This project began in November 2008 and is expected to run until October 2011. The aim of this project is to provide vulnerable young people with the relevant skills to help them develop sustainable livelihoods, helping to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. The project takes place in Ankazomanga, a slum community just outside the capital, Antananarivo, and Carion, a poor rural community just a few miles from the capital.

How we are helping
In order to address the increasing unemployment problem in Madagascar, our partner, Madagascar YMCA will identify particularly vulnerable young people who would benefit from life skills workshops. 3,600 young people will take part in the workshops on various issues, including drug and alcohol addiction, gender-based violence, parenting and health and sanitation. 250 young people per year will also receive vocational training for a range of industries. All courses will include modules on marketing, book-keeping and business management.

On finishing the course, these young people will be supported to secure work placements to give them practical experience and increase their chances of finding full-time employment. Those identified as suitable for establishing their own small business will be provided with ‘business starter kits’, which will include tools to help them set up a business.

What we hope to achieve
• The provision of vocational skills training to 750 young people in IT, textiles, beauty and hairdressing, metalwork, carpentry, animal rearing and food production. It is expected that many vocational training beneficiaries will secure employment or establish a small enterprise that will provide them with enough income to support not only themselves but also their immediate and extended families.
• 3,600 vulnerable young people will be given life skills training and will be supported to consider their own vocational training needs.