The Haitian Out-of-School Livelihood Initiative (IDEJEN) conducted a rapid participatory assessment of the socio-economic situation of out-of-school youth in three communities: Carrefour-Feuilles, Mirebalais, and Jérémie. The assessment employed Community Youth Mapping (CYM), a strategy developed by the Academy for Educational Development (AED) and adapted to an international context in coordination with EQUIP3/Youth Trust. The report describes the youth’s living conditions and economic situations as seen by the youth themselves and members of their communities.
Out-of-school youth between the ages of 15 and 20 years old are the focus of IDEJEN’s project. These youth include those who may have started school and then could not finish, and those who have never attended school. Growing up without traditional social structures like family and school, youth’s potential often goes untapped, and in some cases, leaves them to fend for their own survival in ways that can be harmful to themselves and their communities. These youth often turn to drugs, prostitution, rape, and crime, and can be found working in domestic service, handicapped, or homeless.
The socio-economic situation of out-of-school youth in the target communities was assessed through a combination of data collection and analysis. The assessment included a socio-demographic description of the three areas under study, services available in the communities, and a description of non-governmental organizations in the target communities. The assessment also examined the socio-economic situation of out-of-school youth according to the youth and community leaders, including family, education, health, entertainment, security, and economic activities.
Youth’s perceptions of their own socio-economic situation were also collected through the assessment. Community leaders’ perceptions of the youth’s socio-economic situation were also recorded. The assessment revealed that out-of-school youth face significant challenges in their daily lives, including poverty, lack of access to education and healthcare, and limited economic opportunities.
The assessment also collected ideas proposed by out-of-school youth regarding how they could improve their own living conditions. Suggestions by community leaders for how to improve the living conditions of out-of-school youth were also recorded. The assessment highlighted the need for sustainable and effective field interventions to address the socio-economic challenges faced by out-of-school youth.
The impact of the survey on youth services was also examined, including testimonials from youth who participated in the survey. Challenges faced by the assessment team were also documented. The assessment concluded that Community Youth Mapping (CYM) is a valuable strategy for engaging youth in the assessment process and collecting accurate information on their socio-economic situation.
The Haitian Out-of-School Livelihood Initiative (IDEJEN) aims to identify and address the needs of out-of-school youth, strengthen the best of the organizations and programs already working with young people, and ultimately enable Haiti’s young population to support themselves and their families. The program is financed by USAID, under the EQUIP3/Youth Trust program, led by EDC.