Displaced Youth Volunteer Programme (DYVP)

A programme to help young Nepali conflict victims reintegrate into society by providing them with the skills needed to sustain themselves economically in the peace and conflict prevention sectors.

Description

As a consequence of the conflict in Nepal, many educated young people are being displaced from their homes and are forced to flee to the relative safety of the cities. Furthermore, when a parent or income earner of the family is killed, the youths are compelled to support the family economically. Unfortunately, most of the young people affected by the conflict find themselves in major cities of Nepal with no source of income, work or opportunity to continue their studies. They are also dealing with high levels of psychological trauma that puts them at additional risk.

Nagarik Aawaz (NA) recognises the urgent need to provide these young people with a safety net, a learning space and a positive environment to sustain them emotionally and practically. After extensive research, NA initiated the Volunteer Support Programme. The vision is that these youths will gain the necessary experience to function as peace and reconstruction workers in the arduous times ahead.

Realising the programme’s effectiveness and importance, NA's partner organisations in Doti and Janakpur have also initiated similar programmes in their own districts with initial seed grants from NA. With the experience NA has gained over the first two years, it was able to start work with the second batch of volunteers from August 2004. With no financial support received for the new group, NA raised funds entirely from individual sponsors in Nepal and abroad.

Aims / Objectives

In its work with young people, the organisation aims to:

• help young people develop necessary and practical skills;
• broaden their understanding of development and peacebuilding;
• provide affected young people with emotional and psychological support.

How it is Articulated

Providing space in the office for engagement and providing stipends.

Achievements / Learning Points

The programme has benefited 99 youths so far, in a total of five groups of around 10-25 displaced youths. Two of the groups (a total of 31 participants) have successfully graduated from this programme.

All the graduates evaluated the programme positively, expressing that it had helped them tremendously in overcoming feelings of desperation and revenge, improving their health, behaviour and confidence, and stabilising them emotionally. The graduates also commented that they now have an increased understanding of peacebuilding and improved English language, organisational and computer skills.

All the youths demonstrate a commitment for peace in whatever work they are involved. Most of the graduates are either connected with local organisations, self-employed or resuming their studies. The second group of DYVP (Aug 2004-Jul 2005), was able to include 15 displaced youths sponsored entirely by individual donors.

NA's Sahakarya Shantiko partners, Community Development Forum in Doti and Support Nepal in Dhanusha, have initiated similar programmes in their districts with seed grants from NA. Other partners are also willing to initiate similar programmes in their own districts.

Geographical Area of Operation

Kathmandu.

Funding Resources

Individual sponsors in Nepal and abroad.

Associated Organisations

Tewa and Stri Shakti in the first year.