Fintrac Harvest Fall 2010

Learning to Lead

1,200 Nepal youths learn skills in health, nutrition and leadership

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Fintrac’s Nepal Flood Recovery Program (USAID-NFRP) conducted comprehensive youth leadership training for 60 youth clubs throughout flood- affected villages of the central and western Terai region. Along with training for community-based organizations and disaster management committees, members of youth clubs participated in a program encouraging young people to take on leadership roles in local development initiatives.

More than 1,200 young men and women between the ages of 14 and 24 completed the training curriculum, which emphasized confidence building and communication and conflict resolution skills for working in communities and with local governments. Topics included leadership, participation and democracy, networking and collaboration, organizational planning, decision-making, community assessments, the project cycle and leveraging assistance.

Many of the youth centers also double as training centers for women and girls under NFRP’s Better Life Option Program, created to advocate for the protection of women and children. More than 1,800 girls have attended youth empowerment sessions, which re-inforce skills taught at youth club trainings and encourage women to educate themselves.

“There are changes in my daughter since she joined the youth club. Sushila is more mature now and can express herself better. Now she actively participates in community meetings,” said Surya Gautam, a father whose daughter, Sushila, was in the training.

At the end of their training, youth club members were given a chance to apply their new skills, following Fintrac’s “learning-by-doing” philosophy. Each club designed and implemented their own community support project, with technical and financial assistance from Fintrac. Projects included construction of roads and culverts, improvement of school structures, and creation of potable water sites. The communities’ enthusiasm for the program was reflected in the donations the trainees received – in all, youth clubs raised $12,007, in addition to the $8,000 provided by Fintrac through NFRP.

Representatives from the youth clubs came together to share their experiences at two regional workshops organized by NFRP. Representatives of government, Nepal Red Cross Society, UNICEF, WDO, Mercy Corps and Save the Children attended to see what the youths accomplished.

Fintrac’s NFRP works with flood-affected communities throughout the Terai region to increase farmer productivity and income, develop community infrastructure, improve awareness of sanitation, nutrition, and gender protection issues, and strengthen local organizations by expanding participation among youths and vulnerable populations.

“I am proud because I worked hard to earn this job,” Nega said.