YSS has formulated a Strategic Action Plan that outlines the implementation of two core areas, that is, Social Policy/Action Research and Service Programmes

1. Policy/Action Research

This is one of the two main approaches YSS will take to achieve its goal. This takes a proactive approach and seeks to influence policies and intervention. Systematic action research is undertaken to influence public policy.

Data, surveys and information are gathered and analysed with a view to give input on the needs and issues of the Malaysian Indian community. This will enable the Cabinet, policy-makers, Government officers and others to be more effective in tackling the problems. Several studies and reports have been compiled and presented to the relevant authorities for consideration. YSS is also increasingly being involved in major policy-formulation groups.

Its staff play a role in public policy groups like MAPEN II (NECC II), Eighth Malaysian Plan, Outline Perspective Plan (OPP3) and National Social Policy. MAPEN II serves a think tank for the Government in formulating long-term policies in areas like economy and equity, poverty, education, social problems etc.

Its research officers have undertaken numerous studies and reports, including on the monthly wage issue of plantation workers; displaced plantation workers; Indian squatter families in Kuala Lumpur; housing problems; foreign workers for Indian businesses; and vehicle permits for Indian factory transport companies.

It also facilitates dialogue sessions with various ministries to tackle problems affecting the community. YSS has also organised a number of `Policy Input’ gatherings, for example, Indian Women in Development (July 19, 1999); Malaysian Indians in the Next Millennium (September 3, 1999); and Policy Forums on Education & Social Mobility (March 25, 2000), Business & Economic Opportunities (March 25, 2000), Professionals & Human Resource Development (April 2, 2000), and Opportunities in Information Technology (April 2, 2000).

Other research areas included surveys of Squatters in Klang Valley; Small Estates; Tamil Schools; and Housing for Selangor Estate Workers.

2. Service Programmes

Social Services are implemented to tackle the root causes and promote empowerment and self-reliance. These are carried out at local levels with the support and involvement of staff, volunteers and local authorities.

Services include Community Service Centres; Computer Centres and IT Clubs; Neighbourhood Programmes; Self-Help Groups; and Youth Corps.

YSS also works in partnership with groups like Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Program Pintas (Ministry of National Unity and Social Development): Pusat Rahmat (Ministry of Rural Development); Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM); Asia Pacific Development Centre.

One successful programme is the Community Computer Centre where disadvantaged children and youths are given the opportunity to acquire basic IT skills. The Self-Help Groups bring together women from squatter settlements to discuss, plan and implement micro-finance projects. Some of the groups have show very promising figures in terms of savings. The women have also gained confidence to speak up, network with others and conduct small business.

On a different level women are also being trained to help others in the areas of health and nutrition and also legal and other issues.

A much neglected segment of society is the single mother. Follow-up visits are being made to single mothers identified in a survey of squatter settlements. Support groups for them are being formed while volunteers are trained to help them through referrals.

A Squatter Network Programme in Kuala Lumpur had been formed and YSS staff organise and coordinate the activities in 58 areas. Assistance is despatched during fires and floods. The goal is to identify and train local groups to assist their own communities.

The Centre-Based Casework carried out by the staff and volunteers has met with much response. New cases are constantly added to existing ones. Each day, clients turn up with all types of problems to resolve. These include problems related to birth and identify records, housing, education, jobs and welfare.

A Youth Corps has been formed to allow youths an opportunity for meaningful and healthy recreation. This will also help build leadership and teamwork skills in the youths and instill moral values and self-discipline.

Student counsellors have also been active among those enrolled at the Tafe Colleges. The students also have access to orientation programmes and moral classes. Volunteer Training Programmes have been offered to help individuals handle work with single mothers and self-help

Two major projects are Project Desaria and YSS Batu Anam with many programmes conducted from these neighbourhood centres, including computer classes, counselling, students and women's services, Youth Corps, anti-violence campaign, seminars and family gatherings. The centres aim at developing self-sustaining initiatives in individuals, families and communities.

Two Key Achievements

1. Role in MAPEN

The Foundation recognises the importance of being involved in the policy-formulation process in order to have a significant impact in the lives of those in need.

It thus seeks to provide input into the formulation of policies and implementation strategies. A major forum to do this is MAPEN II. It has presented papers and speeches on a variety of issues including education, human resource development, economy and equity, poverty and social problems.

MAPEN II is a major body which will formulate policies and chart the direction of the nation's economic, social and other policies for the next decade. The involvement of the staff in MAPEN II proceedings and preparatory work on submissions, papers and proposals has been invaluable for their learning process.

2. RM2.7 million Project

YSS has the privilege of being selected to implement RM2.7 million project by the Federal Government. The programme is being implemented with the partnership of the Ministry of National Unity & Social Development.

The funding is believed to be the largest such allocation for an Indian-based organisation by the overnment. The project entitled `Enhanced Potential, Empowered Lives' was made available through the `Cabinet Committee on Addressing Social Ills'.

It hopes to mobilise the community, create awareness and encourage involvement in addressing the many problems faced by the Indian community. The goal is to enable the target groups to overcome their problems and experience upward mobility.

It believes that the potential of each individual and community can be tapped for the common good and assist in tackling social ills. It seeks to do this via capacity-building programmes for communities, families and individuals.