ABOUT US
Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI) is a not-for-profit organization that delivers evidence-based programs, in schools and communities, designed to build young people's assets, facilitate their access to health services, and promote their adherence to healthy behaviours. Since its inception in 2011, YEDI has benefitted over 220,000 young people in schools and community sites in Lagos, Abuja, Akwa-Ibom, and Ogun State.
WATCH OUR VIDEO!!!!!!!
AREAS OF FOCUS
YEDI harnesses a multi-sectoral ecosystem of government and social services, layering health, education, sport, youth development, economic empowerment, and child protection. YEDI brings deep experience in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH), orphans and vulnerable children & youth (OVCY) programming, combination HIV prevention, malaria prevention education, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, Neglected Tropical Diseases prevention awareness, positive youth development, and community mobilisation. YEDI also organizes health-and-wellness-centred specialized training for organizations tailored to suit the employees’ peculiar needs and work schedules.
Young people have since 2011 accessed information to live healthy and make informed decisions with increased knowledge about HIV/AIDS, malaria, sexual/reproductive health.
Young girls, through sports, accessed quality HIV, Sexual and Reproductive Health education and life skills training via the SKILLZ Girl program
persons in at-risk communities across our project sites have accessed free HIV testing and counseling services with referals for those found reactive during our World AIDS Day outreaches.
Globally, research has shown that a young person will be three times more likely to be unemployed than an average adult and predict that if not urgently dealt with, economic protests will worsen. In Nigeria, “Youth unemployment” is one of the biggest economic problems. Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative developed a program “Urban Achievers” aimed at engaging, encouraging and providing necessary skills needed for the job market.
Over 220,000 graduates in more than 700 schools, coached by over 500 trained youth leaders, have improved ability to reduce risks, handle peer pressure, prevent HIV & malaria & other endemic diseases & learn about Sexual and Reproductive Health through increased education about health concerns in their communities. Participants also access free malaria testing & treatment, HIV Counselling & Testing (HCT) & referrals where necessary.