Children & Youth
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Photo: Sean Sheridan for Mercy Corps
Teaching the next generation and keeping them healthy are essential to tomorrow's strong, vibrant societies. Mercy Corps works with communities to shelter and nurture children and youth through innovative education, sports and job training programs.
Through the power of sports, community service and vocational training, we empower young people to make smart life choices and find a productive place in the changing global economy.
Our signature Comfort for Kids program focuses on helping children process trauma after natural disasters and conflict. See our expert's recommendations for how parents and caregivers can help children through times of crisis ▸
All stories about Children & Youth
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Yemen: Hadeel's journey from student to staff July 3, 2012
Hadeel’s story is one of new beginnings. Born and raised in Aden, a major city on Yemen’s southeast coast, Hadeel was previously a professional volleyball player. He was even chosen for Yemen’s national team. But a few years ago, a tragic accident forced him to reconsider his career.
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Colombia: The war on child soldier recruitment begins at school June 22, 2012
Last month was especially busy as I organized field visits to our child soldier prevention and reintegration program.
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Afghanistan: Fathers and sons learn a trade together June 13, 2012
Multiple generations are learning new job skills like carpentry in Afghanistan's Helmand province, where decades of conflict have limited opportunities to earn an income.
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Nepal: Teaching kids to prepare for floods June 6, 2012
Young students at a school in flood-prone western Nepal learn how to stay safe in the event of disaster.
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Haiti: Tuning into youth June 5, 2012
We may not be the Sesame Street Workshop, but here in Haiti, the Mercy Corps team has been busy producing a locally-made educational television program for kids.
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Haiti: Youth celebrate Soccer for Life May 28, 2012
A few kids take it easy during Mercy Corps' Foutbol pou Lavi ("Soccer for Life") activities, which started last December.
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Afghanistan: New graduates yield unexpected returns May 15, 2012
The latest group of students to graduate from our vocational training program in southern Afghanistan — more than 3,600 of them — show that real success is giving young people hope.
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Colombia: Reclaiming children of war May 14, 2012
As many as 14,000 children are fighting in Colombia's armed conflict. Each year, hundreds are rescued or escape — but it's too risky to return home. Mercy Corps is helping them start over.
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Colombia: Helping fellow soldiers back from battle: Adriana's fresh start May 11, 2012
Helping former child soldiers rejoin society is familiar territory for Adriana. She was raised by her uncle in a small village where armed insurgents operated openly.
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Indonesia: Mothers connect in the field May 11, 2012
Portland, Seattle, Taipei, Jakarta, Brebes, Kutamendala. After 44 hours of travel my colleague and I wander into our final destination — a secluded village in the jungles of Java.