Comic relief grant support for Y Care International’s West Africa work

27 June 2002

Y Care International has received a boost to its work in West Africa.

£250,000 from Comic Relief’s African grants programme will go to support young enterprise and income generation in the West African countries of Senegal and The Gambia.

“In both Senegal and the Gambia, the lack of training opportunities for young people has exacerbated unemployment levels, and consigned many to a future of poverty,” said Sean Brown, the co-ordinator of Y Care International’s African work.

Over four years the charity will work with the YMCAs of The Gambia and Senegal to support some of the most marginalised young people in both countries to build up income-generating businesses.

Unskilled young women and men from deprived backgrounds, including young offenders and refugees, are set to benefit. The aim is to give 3,000 young people the skills, motivation and confidence to run their own businesses.

“We are excited by the opportunities this grant represents,” said Sean Brown. “We have campaigned for years about the woeful lack of provision for skills development in countries like The Gambia and Senegal. This money will really help us make a difference to thousands of young people."