India is considered to be a county with the highest number of youth in the world! *As of 2022, India had more than 50% of its population below the age of 25 and more than 65% below the age of 35. This means that India has the largest number of millennials and gen Z on the planet today.

With this vast demographic dividend, it has become more important than ever to prioritise the holistic development of our youth by fostering a ‘good citizen’s mindset’ via effective community building initiatives.  In doing so, we can ensure that we as a nation, can grow to our full potential – with young people, leading the charge!

With a vision to transform rural and underprivileged communities, Ambuja Foundation works with key beneficiary groups in communities to develop sustainable models for community development. And this vision would not be complete without addressing the concerns and challenges faced by young people - especially in the rural and underprivileged sections of the society.

Having worked with youth across 12 states and 54 districts in areas like skilling, health and sanitation, Ambuja  Cement Foundation has found youth to be a powerful and motivated agent of change on the ground in rural communities – with guidance and support along the way.

1.   Leveraging the ‘Peer Education Model’ for Health

Adolescents pick up habits and behaviors from their peers more than family or anyone else. Recognizing this behavioral aspect, Ambuja Foundation developed the APEKSHA program (Adolescent Peers for Enhancement of Knowledge, Skills and Health Association) - a peer education model that leverages peer pressure as a positive reinforcement tool in schools.

Our peer education models in the areas of healthcare and sanitation have empowered children and adolescents to drive local change, whilst also moulding them to become resilient, confident, and independent citizens with strong community values and responsibilities. These have also helped adolescents effectively address age-related concerns and sensitive issues such as sexual and mental health, along with substance abuse.

From developing open defecation-free villages in Himachal Pradesh with the support of young children (Swachata Doots) to improving healthcare via personal hygiene and sanitation initiatives that change the behavioral habits of villages, our young people are being empowered to yield commendable results.

2.       Harnessing SEDI Youth in Times of Crisis: Covisainiks

With over 35 Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institutes across 12 states, that have trained over 1 lakh rural youth till date, Ambuja Foundation has a ‘ready audience’ of young people to help instill a good community mindset – particularly in times of crisis.

 COVID-19 pandemic was one of the greatest crisis that swept across the country and the world in 2020 – which saw health systems grappling to address the need, particularly in our rural and remote areas. To create a cadre of volunteers to pitch in and help, Ambuja Foundation launched the ‘Ambuja Covisainik’ volunteer initiative, to mobilise and train ordinary citizens to play a key role in supporting the government and our communities in their hour of need.  And our rural youth from SEDI stepped up in a big way…

Those trainees who were undergoing training under the Nursing & Bed-Side Assistant Course came forward to assist  local health centres with medical support, and assisted at isolation centres and vaccination centres by recording vitals and supporting in oxygen therapy. The other trainees were involved in vaccination registration, assisting in oxygen support, disposing biomedical waste or being present at the local health centres for logistical support.

So dedicated were these young volunteers, that sometimes these youth spent the nights at the centres just to be there during emergency. Programs like this create incredible life experiences for participants – developing crucial life skills and exposing young people to the power of ‘volunteering’ and pitching in during times of need.

3.  Creating ‘Community Youth Clubs’ to Drive Local Change

ACF encourages the development of Youth Clubs in communities which provide a pivotal forum for young people to convene, discuss local issues and act as ‘messengers’ to drive change within the wider community.

The youth clubs provide the first platform in the community for adolescents and youth to participate in community life and exercise the power of their voice, behavior and attitude. With frequent meetings on different topics like Health, Sanitation, Drug Addiction and Education, Youth act like messengers to create awareness in the communities on different issues.

The ACF team also mentors these youth on their future – exploring development of talents and skills and encouraging youth to continue their professional or vocational education.

Being fit and healthy is also an important focus part of these youth clubs as during this age youth are vulnerable to negativities of life, mental health problems and obesity. Thus, a healthy lifestyle is promoted and various sports tournaments in kabbadi, cricket, volleyball, basketball are encouraged to continue engaging with youth and nurturing them as key community stakeholders.

The Story of Beant Kaur, Bathinda Punjab

Beant Kaur is the perfect example of how building good citizens amongst rural youth can lead to lasting change.  At the Age of 11, due to her aspiring nature and confidence, she was selected as an Adolescent Peer Educator and became ‘hooked’ on driving community change.

She managed to form 6 adolescent peer educator groups with 10-12 teens in each group - helping guide and train the groups on various adolescent health issues.

 During COVID-19 she acted as a Single Point of Contact for her community creating awareness on the virus and vaccinations, by running online sessions and disseminating information.

·       She has been an advocate in Drug De-Addiction and gives lectures in her community or organizes street plays on the issues and the devastating impact.

·       She also has been instrumental in changing the behavior of many women and girls who today openly discuss matters on menstrual hygiene and seek help.

Today at the age of 18 she has become a Volunteer for Ambuja Foundation, developed leadership skills and is working with 20 SHGs to participate and save, and was the primary driver of mask-making income generation project among women in her area.

Conclusion

With Ambuja Foundation’s mission rooted in the ‘Energise – Involve - Enable’ approach, our initiatives empower individuals to become independent and responsible citizens – youth are one of our greatest assets.

Given the right guidance, training and support, young people can become the change we so desperately need for the future – and investing in that is crucial for the India of tomorrow!

*Youth in India - Wikipedia