Empowering Communities

For centuries, sub-Sahara Africa communities have been living in disadvantaged and often violent social, political, and economic conditions. Among internally displaced refugees on the African continent, things are even worse. Even when these individuals and families have the opportunity to be resettled in another country like the United States, they continue to struggle and are in need of support. 
In Africa, a lack of infrastructure – from poor roads and water supply to a lack of an educational system and medical care – has reproduced social marginalization and inequality. Young people, lacking families, and especially women, are particularly vulnerable. But YEDP has had success over the last eight years combatting these problems through educational programs. In Democratic Republic of Congo, sexual abuse and the continual violation of human rights continued as occupants struggled to cope with the high rate of poverty, orphans, and infections and illnesses like HIV/AIDS. YEDP found initial success by recognizing that the perpetrators of gender-based violence are often those closest to the victims, such as partners, family members, close relatives, friends, community members, Armies groups and even humanitarian workers. In most cases victims do not seek help or speak out for fear of being stigmatized by their own community and people who have power because they are not aware of their rights. All these matters have serious consequences on the lives of women, young people, and the broader social relations within these vulnerable communities. 
With sustainable socio-economic development our eventual goal, YEDP stands to raise awareness and reinforce education and awareness so as to overcome the inequalities and find solutions to the problems mentioned above.