covid-19 - YUVA

International Literacy Day 2023: Promoting Literacy and Empowering Youth In Mauritius

International Literacy Day (ILD), established in 1967 and observed annually on September 8^th, serves as a global reminder to the public of the critical importance of literacy as a fundamental human right. It also highlights the need to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.

Despite significant global advancements, literacy challenges persist, with 763 million young individuals lacking basic literacy skills as of 2020. Recent crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have only served to exacerbate these challenges.

Call for Applications: Global Youth Peace Fest by Yuvsatta

Yuvsatta (Youth for Peace) is calling for youth applicants of 18-35 years old from all over the world to be part of the Global Youth Peace Fest 2022, which will be held from 30 September to 2 October at the International Youth Centre (IYC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Young people around the world remain optimistic that an inclusive, resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is possible. With creativity and dedication, they are helping develop solutions to make sure communities emerge from the pandemic stronger than before. No doubt it is young people who have experienced the brunt of the pandemic’s impact worldwide. As Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) said, “Young people are less at risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19 but will be the most affected by the long-term consequences of the pandemic, which will shape the world they live and work in for decades to come,”.

The Best Way to Celebrate World Youth Skills Day 2022

In 2014, the UN declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

Since then, World Youth Skills Day has provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between young people, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, firms, employers’ and workers’ organisations, policy-makers and development partners.

Towards a Resilient Future for All: World Population Day 2022

World Population Day, which seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, was established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, an outgrowth of the interest generated by the Day of Five Billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987. The theme of World Population Day 2022 is “A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all – Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all”.

In 2011, the world reached a population of 7 billion. This year, the number will hit 8 billion, prompting the attendant responses. Some will marvel at the advancements in health that have extended lifespans, reduced maternal mortality and child mortality and given rise to vaccine development in record time. Others will tout technological innovations that have eased our lives and connected us more than ever. Still, others will herald gains in gender equality.

Tackling the Buzz with Safety & Care: World Malaria Day 2022

World Malaria Day is commemorated annually on the 25th of April to call world attention to the steps taken to finally end Malaria and promote action to minimise suffering and mortality. Although Malaria is not infectious, anyone can catch it. The symptoms of this disease include sweats, headache, chills, fever, body ache, vomiting, and nausea.

Malaria is one of the deadliest viruses transferred by mosquitoes. Nearly half of the world’s population is in danger because of Malaria, especially people of underdeveloped countries. Due to global action and containment of the disease, 1.5 billion cases and 7.6 million fatalities have been prevented in the last two decades.

How Far NGOs Have Been Affected by COVID-19 Globally

COVID-19 has upturned billions of lives around the globe. Lives and jobs have been lost, economies have fallen into crisis, and societies have fallen into disarray. During these challenging times, the non-profit sector has been the most active. NGOs play critical roles in multiple areas, namely humanitarian aid, diplomacy, advocacy, and global governance. The world has come to understand the roles and importance of NGOs in society once faced with the pandemic’s unprecedented challenge. But one thing that the world has overlooked is how NGOs have been affected by the pandemic.

COVID-19 brought to light the flaws and frailty of health systems worldwide, forcing NGOs to step in to assist. When the second wave of COVID-19 hit and people met with their healthcare system’s alarming inability to provide life-saving medical services and supplies, NGOs across the world—Save The Children, SaveLIFE Foundation and Action Aid, amongst several others—played a significant role in reinforcing the health infrastructure. Whether it was supplying medical equipment or installing oxygen plants, NGOs stepped up in all ways possible to help the country combat the pandemic and save its citizens.

Valentine’s Day in Mauritius: Spreading Love and Happiness

Valentine’s Day in Mauritius is celebrated worldwide on 14 February every year. On this day, people express their love by exchanging gifts, words, and gestures. The ultimate expression of love for humanity is ending global suffering, poverty, and inequality.

COVID-19 and social distancing may have changed this year’s festivities; however, that does not mean you cannot still enjoy – and do a charitable deed simultaneously. Instead of just gifts, flowers, or chocolates, what if you expressed your love with purposeful presents that advocate sustainability, challenge institutions of inequality, and promote eradicating poverty?

My YUVA Internship Experience: I Came Out as a Better Person

Joining YUVA as an intern was my first step into the job market. I did not quite know what to expect for what was supposed to be my big dive into the professional world. On the other hand, the corporate world I at least had some knowledge of, the non-profit world, felt like I had stumbled upon Narnia, scary, vast, and unexplored but exciting, nonetheless.

While I did have some informal experience in social work from the past occasional fundraising event in the past, working for a large NGO such as YUVA in a formal setting was a completely novel experience. My journey there was no less than an adventure. After suffering numerous rejections and endless ghosting by big corporations, I applied for an internship at YUVA on a whim, resigned to another rejection or worse, no reply at all. The shock I received after being contacted merely hours after sending my application for an interview left me reeling. I remained sceptical until the day of the interview, by the end of which I was so sure I’d already destroyed any chance at professional redemption due to my nervous disposition. I believed it was nothing short of a miracle when I was allowed to intern directly under the supervision of the executive director, Mr Krishna Athal.

The Time to Act is NOW: International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation 2022

Sunday, 6 February 2022, marks a decade of celebrating the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. One of the most prevalent, persistent, and destructive human rights violations is Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Female genital mutilation (FGM) is one of the forms in which VAWG manifests.

FGM refers to any procedure that involves removing or injuring the external female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Often FGM is executed under unhygienic conditions, resulting in short-term health problems such as intense pain, shock, severe bleeding, and infections, along with long-term repercussions for the sexual and mental well-being of the victim.

How can Skills Development Save the World Post-COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in economic problems and sudden unemployment, exacerbating labour market disruptions and increasing inequality. People must develop their skills to thrive in today’s increasingly competitive workplace.

Simultaneously, the COVID-19 situation has also stressed the need for skill development since it will assist the workforce in finding employment that matches their competency levels. As a result, governments in many countries are implementing skill development initiatives. But how can these initiatives help to save the world post-COVID-19?

How Covid-19 Changed Social Work in Mauritius

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, social workers have encountered several difficulties to keep providing care to people who need them. In Mauritius, the epidemic has exacerbated challenges for those with mental health issues, addictions, poverty, homelessness, and violence, thus increasing the importance of social work in society.

To provide quality services throughout the pandemic, social workers are usually forced to make tough decisions and adapt to new approaches to working. However, to understand how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected social work, it is first essential to understand social work and its importance in Mauritian society.

5 Reasons Why I Chose to Intern at YUVA Mauritius: Mansi Hursahye

I am a psychology student who recently started an internship with YUVA and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It’s motivating to be part of an organisation that cares about society and its employees.

Despite the obstacles that have arisen due to the Covid-19 pandemic, YUVA has ensured that the internship experience remains exciting and memorable even after shifting online.

Is Mauritius Doing Enough to Tackle Mental Health?

Mental health conditions are on the rise globally and have been exacerbated due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tackling mental health issues does not only help to improve the mental well-being of people but, it can also improve their physical health. Research has found that poor mental health limits a person’s ability to work successfully, reach their full potential, and contribute to their community. Therefore, tackling mental health issues can help Mauritius increase the overall health of its population and the quality of life of its people. But is Mauritius doing enough to tackle this issue? And if not, what can be done to tackle this issue?

FIRST Global is Uniting Mauritian High Schoolers to Solve Global Challenges from the Pandemic

From 27 June to 18 September, Mauritian youth have worked together in the FIRST Global Challenge, innovating solutions to strengthen their communities through STEM.

From social projects to miniature satellites to robot design, the non-profit FIRST Global is launching its latest season for teenagers from around the world, this year to develop solutions to problems the COVID-19 pandemic presented. FIRST Global, which ignites a passion for STEM in youth worldwide to inspire the next generation of problem solvers and innovators, announced the start of the 2021 FIRST Global Challenge — the fifth iteration of its global Olympics-style robotics event.

10 Fascinating Reasons People Like How YUVA Helped Tackle COVID-19 in Mauritius

YUVA adapted its existing programmes to operate remotely or with physical distancing in the wake of the pandemic. Since we were already intimately connected with our beneficiaries and constituents, we did our best to respond to immediate needs in new ways.

Firstly, YUVA secured a special license called the “Work Access Permit” from the Government of Mauritius to be able to execute the following:

YUVA

Youth United in Voluntary Action

Tag: covid-19