A tiny island recovering from disaster

Y Care International has been supporting Medan YMCA's health, education and livelihoods project on the island of Nias, since January 2009. 

Physically isolated and economically underdeveloped, Nias was neglected by the local government before the Tsunami struck, killing 800 people and destroying 90% of the infrastructure. As Medan YMCA carried out relief work supported by Y Care International, they became aware of the community's longer-term needs, such as healthcare, education and skills development.
 
How we are helping
Since January 2009, Y Care International has been supporting Medan YMCA to improve the health, education and livelihoods of children and young people in Nias.
 
The project provides children between the ages of 1 and 12 with alternative education and improved health care. They are taught using music, play and foreign languages and take part in an annual creativity fair, which brings children from 12 different villages together. The families of these children learn about nutrition and health issues through the YMCA and are offered regular medical checkups.
 
The project also helps to improve the livelihoods of young people through vocational training and the development of cooperatives. Young people are taught how to support themselves and their communities by producing goods from local indigenous materials. These small enterprises are supported by the creation of cooperatives so that young people can save money on buying materials and take interest free loans on the profits made.
 
What we hope to achieve
Through the children's programme, the YMCA hopes to form alternative education centres in 8 villages and build 8 playgrounds, to provide 720 children with education and recreational activities.
 
The project also plans to improve the nutrition and medical treatment of these children and their families.
 
The cooperatives project aims to increase the knowledge and skills of young people to manage their own businesses. This will not only help young people to achieve economic independence, but will improve their self confidence and their ability to support their communities.
 
The YMCA plans to equip young people with the management skills to establish 8 cooperatives and 2 cooperative networks. These networks will help to ensure that the project is sustainable in the future.