August 12 marks International Youth Day, a day raising awareness of the cultural and economic issues that impact youth worldwide. Led by the United Nations, this year’s theme is ‘Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages’, highlighting certain barriers including intergenerational gender norms and ageism affecting people both young and old.
At Caritas Australia, we’re committed to empowering young people as they are the future leaders of our world. Together, we can support the next generation to forge a path out of poverty and create a better tomorrow for all.
Anatercia’s Story
Across many countries worldwide, your support is helping to empower young people with the skills and knowledge to create a better future for their families and communities.
In southern Mozambique, 12-year-old Anatercia struggled to cope with adult responsibilities after her father passed away when she was only four. After his death, Anatercia, her brother, and her sick mother moved in with their elderly grandparents into a small hut with no electricity or a hospital, secondary school and supermarket nearby.
Over time, Anatercia's grandfather became blind, and her grandmother could no longer walk to their farm, which was their only source of income. Their crops withered from neglect and extreme weather events, and the family often went hungry.
Despite her young age, Anatercia took on more and more responsibilities around the home to support her struggling grandparents. Her education began to suffer as Anatercia needed to help her family by travelling hours daily to collect water.
Anatercia carries corn next to her fields in Mozambique. Photo credit: Emidio Josine/Caritas Australia.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Anatercia and her family joined the Integrated Rural Development Program, supported by Caritas Australia's partner, Caritas Regional Chokwe, which provided them with food, seeds, school supplies, and a school uniform for Anatercia. They also helped install a system of taps in the village so Anatercia and fellow community members no longer needed to walk hours to collect water.
Caritas Regional Chokwe also successfully lobbied the government to extend the school to 6th grade so that children like Anatercia can continue to study close to home rather than walking for hours to a neighbouring school.
Now, Anatercia can dedicate more time to her education with hopes of fulfilling her dream of becoming a nurse.
With your support, Anatercia's quality of life has improved and she can focus on doing well at school.
Youth in Australia take action on ecological justice
Across Australia, many passionate young people are driven to make a lasting impact for our world under constant threat from climate change and environmental degradation
"Young people saying they are genuinely worried about the future of our world due to lack of water security, rising sea levels, pollution in our waterways and the depletion of food is incredibly eye-opening and moving,” says Sabrina Stevens, Caritas Australia Youth Participation Officer.
“They are also extremely worried about our duty to care for our fellow humans worldwide whose voices are not being heard, nor are their basic human rights being met. Even when they are voicing their concerns and sharing the highs and lows, they are bringing fresh perspective and ideas about these issues and that is the energy we need when it comes to walking this road together."
At Caritas Australia, our Youth Programs focus on engaging youth and young adults in the areas of social and ecological justice. Our programs are aimed at senior secondary students (Years 10-12) and young adults aged 18-30 years.
