ANNUAL REPORT 2013 Union Chrétienne des Jeunes Gens Young Men s Christian Association Rue NM 14, Nouveau Marché. BP 13794 Niamey, Niger E-mail: info@ymca-niger.org Website: www.ymca-niger.org Niamey, 31-12- 2013 HAMIDOU Rabiou National General Secretary 1
INTRODUCTION The YMCA is a voluntary Christian and ecumenical movement open to men and women, but primarily to young people to offer them a framework for a genuine commitment to share the Christian ideal of building a human community based on justice, love, peace and reconciliation to achieve the fullness of life for all creation. YMCA Niger is a non-profit organization offering programs and services that improve the lives of children, young people and our communities. We are partnering with youth organizations to ensure that young people with abilities and a sense of dignity can find opportunities to grow in body, mind and spirit. YMCA Niger collaborates with government and non-governmental institutions at national and international levels to promote youth leadership development, participation, change, entrepreneurship, global awareness and education on many important issues in the community and the world at large. Niger is a developing country situated in West Africa, facing extreme challenges and pressures these recent years. The Libyan crisis part of the Arab Spring movements in 2011 posed serious security and economic challenges and the situation is still difficult due to crises in neighbouring countries such as Mali and Nigeria. Niger exhibits multiple developmental challenges manifesting as livelihood security and high poverty levels. Moreover, the 2013 harvest is announced deficient putting a large percent of population in food insecurity again in the year to come. Through different programs, the Y M C As bring people together and support them in achieving their common ideals by developing their qualities, giving them responsibility and ensuring their personal development. It was a privilege to see how our programmes in the year 2013 continue to make significant impact and play a key role in transforming the lives of young people and their communities. OUR VISION YMCA Niger will contribute to the Development of Niger and to the Africa Renaissance by building young people s Capacity. OUR MISSION YMCA Niger aims to develop young people and the most social vulnerable through programs which develop mind, spirit and soul for holistic transformation of communities and the nation. OUR VALUES 2
Service Respect Unity Initiative GOVERNANCE Board - President: YAZI Adamou - Secretary: SARKI Abdoul-Azize - Treasurer: Dr. Mrs Daouda Gloriose - Member: Yahaya Chérif - Member: Mamane Amadou Staff - NGS: HAMIDOU Rabiou OUR PROGRAMMES Sport Sport is a key programme of the Niger YMCA since the organization was established in 2004. We implement sport programmes through the training of proximity coaches, developing and mentoring community teams, and providing services and support during major sport events both in Niger and outside. Our involvement in sports helps to achieve our mission of developing the whole person (body, mind and spirit). We have 3 approaches towards sport programmes: -Football Tournament with primary schools: Soccer for boys, race for girls, Sport training for teachers. This programme annually costs 3 000 000 FCA ( 4574). Balls are mainly the most expensive items in the budget. 120 balls are needed annually. -Developing Local Sport Teams: Volunteer coaches do the work and we support them with little finances, balls, and small sport items. -Church planting through sport programmes such as sport camps, sport clinics, games and sport for kids, sport training, leadership training for sport. During 2013, we held many sport programmes and activities. 3
Two of our neighborhood football teams continue their training sessions as usual. One of them was involved in a football tournament with other teams from different neighborhoods of Niamey in March 2013. A life coach training saw the participation of 29 young people from 14 villages in Makalondi (Tillaberi) in January. And another one took place in Guéshemé on 1 st to 3 rd February. One of our teams was involved in a football tournament organized by local church EERN. Other teams from different neighborhoods of Niamey are participating in the tournament started in March 2013. In Dosso, from 15 to 17 May, 12 young Christian leaders attended a life coaching training to serve their communities through sports. On June 30 th, the finals for the football tournament opposed our team to a team supported by Brazilian Missionaries. Our team won at the final score of 2-1. And this is the second time that our players win the cup. A Volley ball camp was held from 22 July to 1 st August with young participants from Germany YMCA and Niger YMCA to equip young people aged 18 to 25 to reach out to others in the communities through sports. Through the games and sport activities our young people discovered how sport can unite them as a team and prevent them from bad habits such as violence, drugs, and unhealthy living. The participants have experienced great moments of learning from their peers on how to give part of their time to serve other young people in the community through sport. Now they feel confident and are motivated to use sport and plays to lead other young people through the values of respect, discipline, and trustworthiness for positive change in their lives and the community. Economic Empowerment Under this programme YMCA Niger promotes the economic development through knowledge and skills transfer to create employment and alleviate poverty with genuine involvement of members of communities. Economic empowerment activities for women and youth through 4
micro businesses This is one-month training interspacing theory and practice. The curriculum had 2 days training on World View for holistic and personal development. The rest of the days focused on research and business generation ideas during which a combination of field and classroom experience is employed. A twelve month follow-up process is then offered to graduates for the on-going success of their businesses. It is with great joy that we mention some partnering efforts in the area of Economic Renaissance in 2013. On May 30, 2013 a training workshop was held in the premises of YMCA Niger to provide our members with information on the peer to peer microfinance lending system offered by Zidisha Incorporated. Generally, the difficulty to access start-up and working capital has remained a great hindrance to business take off for most of the project participants. Through Zidisha it is possible to provide small loans to youth. About 3 candidates already accessed loans. We participate to the programmes of Agri- Hub Niger A network for partnering with Farmer organisations, NGOs, Government Institutions, Financial Institutions, Private businesses, and Training Institutions to promote farmer entrepreneurship and fight food insecurity in Niger. Many workshops and meetings have taken place and activities planned in a collaborative and friendly atmosphere. We contributed to the project Innove4Africa A project aimed at promoting social entrepreneurship of youth in French speaking African countries through training in project management, financial support, and follow-up. Civic Competence This programme is succeeding in educating young people on political and civic engagement, human rights, governance, democracy, and create awareness on other issues such as violence, poverty, social injustice, and other wrong behavioral habits. It is carried out through monthly debates where issues and challenges 5
such as the different faces of poverty, exclusion, and disempowerment are discussed and participants are given voice and space to provide ideas and solutions for positive actions. Training and Capacity Building This is to strengthen the capacity of members, staff, and volunteers to increase our operational efficiency. The YMCA focuses on livelihood training, organizes leadership training seminars, management courses and personal development and exchange programmes with partner organizations. Also in this area YMCA creates awareness, educate people on environmental issues, gender, peaceful coexistence and social problems in our communities. The National General Secretary benefited from several workshops and seminars within country and outside. The Bagbé NGS/BOARD Seminar from 5 to 12 May in Lomé, Togo was a rich platform to access information and awareness on leadership, membership, resource mobilization, and to develop networking and partnership to share and learn among African YMCAs experiences. The multi-stakeholder workshop of Agri Hub Niger (Agri Pro Focus) held on May 15-16 in Niamey provided an opportunity for the Niger YMCA to form collaboration and develop partnership to promote farmer entrepreneurship. The second residency of the B.A.program Human Development of the International YMCA University, Kassel-Germany was in Nairobi, Kenya from November 10 to November 22. NGS attended annual planning, and advocacy session during Africa Alliance YMCAs 2013 staff retreat from 27 November to 9 December in Nairobi. Partnerships We are so thankful for the encouragement and support that we have received in 2013. We are currently working with partners from national, regional, and international levels. We are also grateful to individuals who generously contributed to strengthen our work with young people in many ways. YMCA Germany The national office of YMCA Germany has been present with the Niger YMCA since the beginning. Through its project Aktion Hoffnungszeichen a Vocational Training Centre that provided training in knitting, catering, and tailoring was funded for 3 initial years and refunded twice. The YMCA Germany also contributed a 3 years support for the Institutional Capacity Building of YMCA Niger. 6
Africa Alliance of YMCAs Acting as the Technical House, provided considerable support to YMCA Niger in 2013 in forms of annual NGS/Board Seminar, National movement profiling, and sharing information and experiences. Agri-Hub Niger (AgriProFocus) A network for partnering with Farmer organisations, NGOs, Government Institutions, Financial Institutions, Private businesses, and Training Institutions in Niger to promote farmer entrepreneurship and fight food insecurity. Catholic Church It was great working with Father Mauro Armanino to play a key role in the monthly debates aimed at creating awareness, and empowering youth, civil actors, and society at large in regards to various issues affecting them. Zidisha Incorporated A peer-to-peer lending microfinance institution providing online loan services to entrepreneurial people. Generally, difficulty accessing start-up and working capital has remained a great hindrance to business off take for most of the project participants. Through Zidisha it is possible to provide loans to youth starting with small amount which can increase as lenders repay and contract new loans. About 3 entrepreneurs already accessed loans to grow their businesses. Innove4Africa We participated to the project aimed at promoting social entrepreneurship of youth in French speaking African countries through training in project management, financial support, and follow-up. 7
Action Plan for 2014 Activities/ Strategy I-Sports 1)Organise Soccer Tournament and Athletics in primary schools 2)Life Coaching Training for schools teachers 3)Develop and train local communities teams in Soccer and Volleyball Person/Organization responsible YMCA Niger Timeline Verifiable Indicators Means of Verification Expected Outcomes Estimated Budget in USD March- April Number of primary school students served Boys and girls motivated to attend school YMCA Niger March 100 Peer educators trained YMCA volunteer life coaches Jan- Dec Number of Soccer and Volleyball local teams coached Regular Training sessions held Evaluation Reports Pictures Children between 7 to 12 years took part in Sports & Games Improved health of children Positive change in behaviour of young people Training Reports Improved annual academic performance of students held by the teachers being trained in sports Teachers including sports and games in schools Field Records Volunteers trained to share the Love of Christ A friendly and peaceful atmosphere in the communities Funding 1,100 CVJM,YMCA Niger, One Hope, District Mayor, Samaritan s Purse 1,000 YMCA 4,000 YMCA Niger, CVJM 4) Conduct ISLT,SSP,MSE,CYCAS Trainings YMCA, ISM Trainings quarterly Leadership workshops conducted 5)Sport Camps YMCA Annually Empowered young participants towards Training Reports Increased number of young leaders in the community Increase in number of YMCA volunteers and community leaders trained Pictures 20 young people entertained, 13,600 YMCA Niger, Development Partners, Ministry of Youth & Sport 3,700 Individual Donors, YMCA 1
6)KGs, Sport Clinics, Major Sport Events II-Institutional Capacity Building- 1) Office 2) Hold Annual General Assembly YMCA Quarterly Events meaningful partnerships Sporting events conducted Pictures Evaluation Report YMCA Jan-Dec Administrative procedures respected Quality reporting tools developed Yazi March Assembly meeting is held provided with leadership skills and fun. Youth brought together for more social inclusion Empowered young leaders partnering to expand the Kingdom Life skills transferred to participants and volunteers Annual Report Enhanced Administrative practices Report Leadership aligned to constitution New Leadership elected Niger 1,700 YMCA Niger, Orange, One Hope, Samaritan s Purse 9,254 CVJM, Development Partners 800 YMCA Niger III-Economic Empowerment 1)Entrepreneurship Training YMCA Annually Number of young people trained on entrepreneurship 2)Microcredit YMCA Jan-Dec Number of young people granted with loans 3) To Mentor young entrepreneurs on Business Management and Growth IV-Youth Leadership and Development 1)S2C Project: Communication for Active Citizenship and Civic Action Rabiou Jan-Dec Growth and expansion of young entrepreneurs businesses YMCA Jan-Dec Increase of number of people involved in community development Youth taking actions at various levels Training Reports 20 beneficiaries to complete business training every year Loan Records Young people documents were provided Loan micro loans Applications Follow up tracking worksheet Project Report Radio Station s data base pictures Increased performance of Successful businesses There shall be positive behavioural change and civic engagement in the community 6,700 YMCA Niger, AAYMCA, CVJM 20,000 YMCA Niger, CVJM 1,800 YMCA Niger 5,865 YMCA Niger, AAYMCA, CVJM 2
Pictures Agri Hub Niger seminar Monthly Debates Group work at HuD Residency Sport training activities Life Coaching Sessions Sport projection to serve young people Girls soccer tournament NGS/BOARD Seminar-Lomé HuD Residency Nairobi 1
Cord & Matthias (YMCA Germany) visit the Niger YMCA Children excited to learn Volleyball Volleyball training Debate participant giving inputs Volleyball Camp 2013 Farmer entrepreneurship workshop Bee keeping Agro business by trainee 2