Plan Worldwide Annual Review and Combined Financial ...

Plan’s global spend in 2012
€71 million
Malawi
Youth-run TV programme champions
girls’ rights
El Salvador
Young people promote a culture
of peace
Sierra Leone
Young people become part of the
solution in local governance
CHILD PARTICIPATION
In Malawi, a new youth TV programme called ‘Timveni’
(Let it be heard), funded by Plan Sweden, is giving a
voice to thousands of teenage girls. Girls in Malawi
often face early or forced marriage or abusive cultural
practices. Many have to walk long distances to get
safe water or drop out of school because of poverty.
Young peer journalists encourage the girls to tell their
own stories, uncovering cases of rape, abuse and forced
marriage. They then hold government to account for
responding to the crimes they expose and protecting
citizens’ rights.
The half-hour show, broadcast weekly on Television
of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation from its own
state-of-the-art production studio, is one of the first
peer-produced youth programmes in Africa. The young
people involved – mostly girls – are also part of a sister
radio project, launched by Plan in 2006.
“Our new television licence will help Malawian
young people to fully participate and express
themselves freely about developmental issues,”
says Timveni’s Executive Director, Manyanda Nyasulu.
“Timveni TV will enable us to reach out to more
children and young people, promoting their rights,
talents, life skills and education. We will continue
to involve vulnerable children – particularly girls,
as well as young people with disabilities – and
promote their skills and talents.”
Six years ago, Mario was a street kid, involved in gangs,
alcohol and drugs. But today, he is a radio broadcaster
and vice president of a youth organisation, studying for
a degree in education.
“I was a kid with no dreams, without a vision,”
he says. But when he joined the Plan-supported
youth group, called AJOCHT, Mario’s perspective
began to change. “My friends in AJOCHT awakened
social responsibility in me,” he explains. AJOCHT
president Alfredo, 22, comes from a similar background.
“Participating in decision making has changed me,”
he says. “I learned how to talk to public officials
and demand my rights, to fulfil my responsibilities
and fight injustice. I feel motivated!”
There is no doubt that their community needs their
help, with high rates of domestic violence, abuse
and sex crimes. AJOCHT’s activities include a life-skills
course called Youth: Your Voice Counts, which aims to
prevent violence and build a culture of peace. Last year
510 seventh, eighth and ninth grade students attended
the course, developing a public awareness campaign
which included street theatre, murals and media
messages. The aim is for 2,000 students to complete it.
AJOCHT does its own fundraising, supported by local
individuals, NGOs and businesses. Plan will continue its
support in 2013.
In Sierra Leone, local decision-making bodies are
often run by traditional elders who view young people
as arrogant and violent. Frustrated, alienated and
unemployed, many young people resort to drugs
and prostitution. Plan’s Youth in Governance
programme, funded by Plan UK and the UK
government, supported 900 vulnerable young
people (44 per cent of them female) to get involved
in local government activities. Plan organised them
into 36 youth groups, training them to help in projects
such as maintaining water points, collecting taxes
and taking part in district council meetings. They also
participated in livelihood projects, using seeds and
tools donated by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Today, most of the youth groups have remained
active and are officially registered, with their own
bank accounts. Many young people are pursuing
higher education or training, or have been elected
to governing councils and are actively engaging
in community development. “I now have selfconfidence,”
says one group member. “I’m a
member of our Ward Committee and I attend
council meetings. I have authority!”
“This project transformed the lives of these young
people and made them realise that they have
hidden potential that can make them role models
in society,” says Patrick Mahoi of Plan Sierra Leone.
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