economic india

India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. And yet the vast majority
of young people in India still face unacceptable challenges to living healthy and
productive lives, including:
Limited access to health care, and sexual and reproductive health services
Lack of knowledge of HIV prevention and transmission methods
Inadequate nutrition, especially among adolescents
Lack of career guidance, and educational retention
Lack of participation in decision-making processes
Gender disparity in education and employment
In India, we have been working with young people in Tamil Nadu on health issues
such as nutrition, sanitation, HIV and AIDS, and livelihoods since 1985.
Our Youth Empowerment Programme trains young people in rural government schools
and communities to take lead roles in decision-making, to make responsible decisions
about their sexual reproductive health and to improve their livelihood opportunities.
Our Sustainable Livelihoods Programme also addresses sexual and reproductive
health issues as part of a broader view of sustainable livelihoods. In Thandayankottai
village, our Eco Trail project raised environmental awareness and improved the
livelihoods of their tribal community by using forest resources as capital.  This project
was carried out in partnership with the District Forest Department.
In total, we have been able to reach out to more than 100,000 school youth and 250
rural communities in the districts of Vellore, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur. In all
these districts, we work in close partnership with the District Education and Health
Departments.
We are now on an exciting path of expansion. In our recent strategic review we have
developed a plan to reach all five states in South India by 2015. As part of the
strategy we will expand our capacity building work of other youth-focused
organisations, and also develop an evidence base of youth-led methods for addressing
poverty, HIV and livelihoods for young people.