Supporting youth livelihoods

Although less than four percent of the land in Laos is suitable for agriculture due to the number of landmines, it provides around 80% of employment.

Many young people are unable to find employment in non-agricultural work after graduating and this has led to tens of thousands migrating to Thailand and other neighbouring countries. Once there, they often fall prey to exploitative working and living conditions.

Y Care International has been working in Laos since 2000, supporting agricultural projects to increase young people's economic opportunities in Laos, as well as improving access to locally produced nutritious food.

How we are helping
The current two-year project, which began in June 2009, aims to improve the economic prospects of disadvantaged young people living in rural areas.

The project will provide vocational training in organic food production, processing, marketing and business practices, giving young people the skills to earn a stable living. As well as targeting students, the project will work with farmers and women’s groups who can share their knowledge in local communities. As well as improving the life chances of young people, the project will also encourage the consumption of affordable, nutritious, locally produced food among rural communities.

The project is coordinated by the YMCA for Northern Development Foundation in Chaing Mai, Thailand and will take place in six provinces across Laos.

What we hope to achieve
The project will reach 4,600 people in total. It aims to provide vocational training in organic food production to:

• 3,000 disadvantaged students from rural schools, including orphans and students with disabilities (aged 12-20)
• 120 students from Vocational Education institutes (aged 18-25)
• Farmers and women’s groups from rural communities
  

The project will also develop a curriculum on organic food production aimed at teenagers and young adults. The curriculum will be the first of its kind in Laos and the YMCA will work with teachers, other NGOs and local government departments to introduce and expand the curriculum in schools, colleges and universities.