World Youth International envisage a world in which young people grow up confident in themselves and their abilities, with high self-esteem, courage and passion for their lives and the lives of all humanity; a world which young people live in a supportive and harmonious environment receiving educational opportunities and share in a commitment to a safe, clean and sustainable future for our planet.
They have supported thousands of people in developing countries transform their own lives and the future of their communities. The organisation, through the work of its extraordinary volunteers and supporters, has already been able to complete a number of major projects including the building of a school in Gokarna, Nepal, which now has more than 500 children attending each year and is placed in the top schools academically; supporting many income generating projects in Western Kenya; and most recently the completion of our Odede Community Health Centre in Kenya. All of these projects are entirely locally run and working to towards becoming self-sustaining.
The Odede Community Health Centre opened its doors in March 2013, and since then has treated more than 76,000 patients, most of whom live below the poverty line. In Odede and the villages surrounding it, many families live on less than $2 income per day, and maternal and infant mortality rates are high. Prior to 2013, around 70% of women in Odede and the surrounding areas gave birth at home in unsafe conditions, aided only by untrained midwives or female relatives. Very few women received pre-natal or ante-natal education or care, and it was not uncommon for women to be injured during childbirth, or for newborn babies and infants to die. Since its opening, the Health Centre has made a significant impact on the health of women and children by providing affordable access to maternal health services. This includes providing community education initiatives to teach women about health issues such as nutrition, and even funding community agriculture activities to ensure food security for families in the village.
World Youth International knows first-hand just how powerful one person can be! They have been sending volunteers to Nepal and Kenya since 1992. Taking part in a placement not only overseas, but in a developing country, allows individuals to develop both personally and professionally. It is an amazing way to give back, make a difference and see the world.
World Youth International’s Nurses in Action is a team program which allows nurses and allied health professionals aged 18 – 65 to provide primary healthcare services to people living in remote and vunerable communities. Many nurses want to combine their passion for helping others with their desire to travel, and choose this program so that they can be part of a group. Volunteers can enjoy the comfort of knowing that absolutely everything is organised for them while they participate in a diverse range of placements, all under the guidance and support of a trained Australian team leader. Australian nurses may be able to claim their CPD training hours on this program, which could make their program fee and expenses a tax deduction!
