Fikir Integrated Community Development Organisation

Integrated Young Persons' Support (IYPS) Programme

Several children in developing countries must start working from a young age to support themselves and/or even, at times, other family members. Hence they don't go to school. This is no different in the community that FICDO serves.

To tackle the root cause of poverty in our community FICDO started, in 2019, what was then called "Education Programme". The programme provided meals and school materials for thirty young persons to minimise school dropouts. The number of young persons we serve reached fifty in 2020. By November 2022, we not only increased this number to about one hundred, but also diversified our services by including a range of psycho-social supports such as after-school tutorials, guidance and counselling, coaching/mentoring, safe space to flourish and create, and award and recognition for those who show exceptional enthusiasm. Considering the wide range of services we provide, FICDO's Board, in September 2022, rebranded the programme as 'Integrated Young Persons' Support (IYPS)' Programme.

Our service is driven by compassion and hopes that the children will break free of the yokes of poverty if given the necessary tools. Our services also minimise school dropouts, early marriage and gender-based violence. As much as resources allow, we are determined to encourage the children to dream and give them the necessary tools to realise their dreams. Hence our IYPS Programme is holistic and integrated.

Provision of daily meals

Two meals a day from our community kitchen ensure that young persons won't drop out of school in search of means of survival. The kitchen solely runs on donations from the community and supporters.

Material Support

In addition to supplies of stationery and uniforms, we provide the young persons with extra clothes and footwear and hygiene products. FICDO also covers Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) premiums to enable the young persons access to healthcare.

Personal Hygiene

We provide sanitary pads for girls. We also partner with local schools to improve sanitation and hygiene facilities for girls. Furthermore, all the young people receive a bar of soap every month. Boys get regular haircuts.

Psycho-social Support

Our community centre also serves as a safe space for young persons to study, show creativity and flourish. We also mobilise volunteers to facilitate individual and group counselling, coaching and mentoring.

Guidance and Counselling

We mobilise professionals from the local community to facilitate individual and group counselling. As of January 2023, after our field office connected to the internet, we have also started an online coaching/mentoring program.

After-school Support/Supplementary Tutorials

We recruit volunteer tutors from the local University to support supplementary classes for our young persons during weekends.

Safe Space

Our community centre also provides a chance for young persons to make friends, rediscover the joy of playing with other friends, and forget (even if temporarily) and get a break from the realities of challenging environments at "home".

Sense of Belonging and Family

A sense of belonging and family is also created by celebrating public holidays in our Community Centre so that no one feels left behind.

Space to Dream and Flourish

The young people showcase their talents through drama, poetry, science projects and sports. Young people are also encouraged to journal their dreams and reflect on their progress regularly.

Awards and Recognition

At the end of each Semester, we hold award and recognition programs to encourage the young persons who show enthusiasm and initiative in various categories, including "living ur FICDO's values by serving others".