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| Proyect:
Youth Friendly Corners |
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Project Location:
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In
its initial stage, this pilot Project will take place in four
(4) different regions in the Republic of Panama: San Miguelito,
Colon, Panama Oeste (Chorrera) and Quebrada de Guabo (Ngobe
Indian Reserve) |
Brief description and objective of the Project:
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This
project has the goal of answering the needs for integral development
of young and adolescent Panamanians, by creating four (4)
friendly and interactive consult spaces within four (4) libraries,
which are part of the National Network of Public Libraries.
There
is an imperative need to promote the integral development
of adolescents in a systematic and continuous manner, due
to the numerous situations, which affect their quality of
life and the risk factors that prevent them from healthfully
participating in the countries development. The best strategy
for decreasing risk factors in adolescents has been proven
to be proper counseling and orientation.
Improving
a library visit by giving adolescents innovative and up-to-date
information, which responds to their needs and interests,
is a strategy that allows the youth to find accurate and scientific
answers to their questions in a friendly language. This helps
them to develop their cognitive and intellectual capabilities,
while building up an interest for current events, cultural,
scientific and technological topics, and health issues.
The
youth corners will be equipped with interactive materials,
in an adequate and friendly environment, supported by a technical
and professional team of experts in the topics of adolescents.
One
of the main characteristics of this project is the friendliness
of the youth corners. This implies that services will be provided
at convenient hours in which adolescent can attend. It means
that they will be financially and geographically accessible;
that the spaces provided will be comfortable and stimulating;
that there will be both academic and recreational materials
available; and that there will be trained professionals supporting
the proper functioning of the centers and serving as stimulation
to the young attendants.
Every
friendly youth corner will be equipped with the appropriate
infrastructure and furniture to accommodate all the equipment
and materials. They will each contain 3 computers with access
to internet, special links and databases; literature, science
and recreational books, music CD´s, booklets, flyers and posters,
etc.
All
of the friendly youth corners will be administered by the
National Library Foundation of Panama; an organization which
currently manages all national libraries and that has the
appropriate infrastructure, expertise, personnel, equipment
and level of commitment.
All
of the technical support and materials for the corners will
be provided by UNFPA Panama, with the support of WHO and other
United Nations agencies settled in Panama, because of the
expertise that such agencies have in youth topics.
The
Rotary Club will support the coordination and promotion of
the project.
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Who
and how many people will benefit?
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The
young and adolescent population (12- years of age) with access
to these selected libraries will be benefited. An advertising
campaign will promote the Friendly Youth Corners within adolescents
in the areas surrounding each library. This campaign will
be designed in coordination with academic centers, community
health centers and other key institutions, and it will take
into account academic calendars and other pertinent characteristics.
At
the end of this pilot project, the organizers expect an increment
in youth's attendance to libraries, and specially Friendly
Youth Corners by 30%.
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How
will the project be organized and supervised?
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The key participants involved in the planning and executing
of this project will be the National Library Foundation, UNFPA,
United Nations Population Fund and the Panama Sur Chapter
of the Rotary Club. These institutions will hire a coordinator
to mage the project, including its planning, execution, supervision
and monitoring.
UNFPA,
with the support of its Country Support Team (CST), and both
government organizations and NGO's will design the project
to ensure its proper development. UNFPA will also provide
support in furnishing and stocking the corners.
This
project is self sustained, which will allow the National Library
Foundation to take over the project and administer it once
the pilot period has ended, without having to incur in additional
costs.
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What
role will our club take in its development?
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The
Rotary Club will be one of the 3 key players in organization,
promotion and execution of this project. It will provide expertise
and connections with a network of possible supporters. It will
promote the Youth Corners through the club's diverse programs
and initiatives. |
What
will our club provide in the way to funds, personnel, buildings,
equipment, etc?
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Rotary
Club will support the project by helping with the fund raising,
by providing its expertise and knowledge in project planning,
by supplying members, partners and allies and by participating
in the project's Coordinating Team. |
Ones
the project is completed - what type of follow-up will our
club provide?
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Project
activities will be supervised and monitored periodically during
its executing through periodic meetings of the Coordinating
Team, which will evaluate proper progress and the necessary
problem solving aspects and which will also offer recommendations
for the optimal development of the project.
A
midterm and final evaluation will provide with the necessary
evidence to support the creation of Friendly Youth Corners
in the rest of the National libraries, achieving a total of
14 Youth Corners.
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What
is the total estimated cost of the project?
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US$ 238,700.00
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Estimated
cost breakdown:
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a)
Computer Equipment
US$ 19,500.00
b) Audiovisual Equipment
US$ 13,800.00
c) Office Equipment
US$
5,000.00
d) Materials
US$ 3,800.00
e) Special Consultations
US$ 41,200.00
f ) Technical Support
US$ 5,000.00
g) Personnel
US$ 25,200.00
h) Training of personnel
US$
8,400.00
i ) Promotion
US$
20,300.00
j ) Utilities
US$ 15,000.00
k) Others
US$ 1,500.00
Total
US$ 238,700.00
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Club
Contribution:
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a)
Club Contribution
US$ 10,000.00
b) International Sponsoring
Clubs
US$
90.000.00
c) UNFPA( United Nations)
US$ 98,500.00
d) National Library Foundation US$
40,200.00
Total Contributions:
US$ 238,700.00
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