Press release 04.12.2007

Fida International works in development cooperation in the Maldives

A new community center encourages the youth in the Maldives

Fida International has opened a community center in the Maldives, on the island of Keyodhoo at the Vaavu atoll. The center offers activity that supports the development of the island and balanced growth of the youth. Fida is the only foreign civic organisation doing development cooperation in the Maldives.

The tsunami, which occurred in late 2004, was a serious setback to the Maldives' development. The tsunami forced 30, 000 people to leave their homes, 12, 000 people became homeless and the infrastructure was devastated on a total of 69 islands. After the disaster, Fida sent catastrophe relief to the Maldives via the Hope Alliance organisation. Fida was the only foreign civic organisation allowed to continue work on the islands, by means of a long-term development cooperation project.

The project concentrates on youth work and strenghtens cooperation with the islanders. The inhabitants already had an idea of a community center and its activity. The building of the center started in late 2006 and it was opened in November. In addition to the islanders, also the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Maldives along with members of the Parliament and State Officers attended the opening ceremony. Also the local tv company was present.

The new community center offers sport and leisure activities, vocational education and, later, accommodation services. There is also a library and a cyber café in the center. The community center is owned by the community of the Keyodhoo island, the Keyodhoo Rahveni Club.

In Europe the Maldives are known as a paradise resort, but the island state has a lot of challenges. A development gap is growing between the capital Malé and the other islands. Due to migration, over a third of the population lives in Malé. The poor live on the other islands, where the social services are bad.

Half of the people in the Maldives are under 20 years old. On the small islands the chances to study and have activities are poor. Unemployment among the youth is growing: about 40 percent of young women and 20 percent of young men are unemployed.

Though the education system in the Maldives has been developed, there is a lot of room for improvement in the quality of education, equipment and facilities. Due to the lack of facilities, children have to attend school in two shifts, in the morning and in the evening.

Further information: Director of Development Cooperation Eero Horstia | eero.horstia(at)fida.info | +358 40 722 4454