Youth Clubs in Bangladesh                      

Introduction:

Youth people in Bangladesh often referred to as the future of the country. They are considered as future leaders who will make important decisions impacting the lives of future generations. In Bangladesh young people are very rarely involved as social activist and seen as change maker for Good governance. It’s quite impossible for a country to ensure good governance without active participation of youth community on policy dialogue, decision making, economic and social participation. Through this project we are going to form 8 youth clubs in 8 schools after the training and that clubs will play a great role as a sustainable place for the girls where the targeted girls will practice good governance through numerous activities under the guidance adult mentors.

What is Youth Club?

A youth club or youth social club is a place where young people can meet and participate in activities such as football, soccer, basketball, table tennis, or video games, or religious activities.

Many youth clubs are set up to provide young people with activities designed to keep them on off streets and out of trouble, and to give them a job and an interest in activity. Some youth clubs can have a particular compelling force, such as music, spiritual/religious guidance and advice or characteristics such as determination. Youth clubs are there to help young people understand the world around them. They are there to advise young people with their future,to talk about the past and even help them with the present. Many clubs hold different sessions to educate young people about different topics regarding their health and worries, e.g. contraception. Youth clubs normally have  leaders youth workers who normally organize trips or workshops for the young people to contribute in. They can also hold charity events and even volunteer to do many different things. Youth clubs will sometimes help young people to gain qualifications for their life ahead,

EHDS youth club:

A youth club will be a place where our trained girls will get together and other girls from the madrasa/college/university will join in the club gradually as a member. The club room will be provided by the concern authority. There are few mini projects will develop and implement in the school and community in target period and all the activities of the club will be related with Good governance and education. The girls will sit down twice in a week and the mentor teachers who will be receiving training with the girls will guide them. The club activities will be monitored and assist by the EHDS monitoring team once in a week.

Aims and objectives:

The main aim of the project is to make sure our girls are practicing good governance and active participation of girls in democracy.

Objectives:

To give a suitable platform

To develop democratic attitude

To make them active in duties and responsibilities

To increase leadership skills

To achieve multiple soft skills (management, IT, convincing, creativity, art and craft, transparency, tolerance, volunteerism)

To make environment for the girls where girls have scopes to practice good governance continuously.

To involve community leaders and local government in good governance practice.

To sustain the project and learning of the girls after funding.

Formation of Youth Club:

At 1^st 7 members an advisory board will be formed in the club. The members will be the head teacher, assistant head teacher, two mentor teachers/ trained teachers, one guardian representative, one local government representative and one volunteer from EHDS.

Three girls will be selected for the post of President and, Secretary and treasurer by taking opinion from the rest girls and more four members will be selected to be in executive committee. An executive committee will be formed by consisting 7 members under the guidance of Advisory committee. The trained 20 girls will be main general member and they will collect at least 40 members for the club from their own institutes. The membership fee will be 5 taka for a month. Treasurer will keep record and EHDS funding for the club will be distributed through the club. Through the club they will develop some mini projects and implement in the community.

Membership Criteria:  

New members’ age and educational level should be same as of the trained girls and it can be relaxed after the project period if the EC decides.

Who should have interest invest extra time on volunteerism.

Who will pay 5 taka per month.

Activities:

·         Girls will get together twice in week. One day they will work independently and another day they will sit with the EHDS monitoring team. The team will visit their work, take feedback or challenges and give support if necessary.

·         8 clubs  will be involved in 5/6 projects and the projects can be : a. volunteering at a kids Teaching Centre/disable schools one day in a week and another day share the ideas with rest girls. B. arranges seminar or workshop for other members in the club. c. arrange art and craft classes  through the club for the club members. d. arrange IT classes for the club members.

·         Girls will get ready for the sharing workshop at final stage, showcase their learning and get ready for presentation of their work in front of the media, local government, community leaders.