BFFF offers youth opportunities to learn community applicable skills and training that lead to viable employment opportunities. This program offers relevant educational opportunities that can directly – and positively – impact the communities in which they work and live.
“Only 12.86 percent of Ugandan graduates secure formal employment, according to Mastercard Foundation. Annually, Uganda churns over 700,000 graduates into the labour market, but only 90,000 secure formal employment, leaving hundreds of thousands to grapply with uncertainties…” (Racheal Nabisubi Mildred, cited in Daily Monitor, March 7, 2025, p.10).
A Youth group has been identified for BFFF vocational skills training, public speaking, and community advocacy. Members include those currently in, or not in, school, and who contribute with diverse needs and skills (physical, mental, social, emotional).
Skills youth bring to BFFF: How to dig, prune, mulch, weed, plant, do crop rotation, landscape, and make nursery beds.
Skills youth wish to learn: i) New models for Sustainable Agriculture (i.e., how to graft and grow a variety of fruit trees, compost, use organic manure/fertilizers), ii) Carpentry, and iii) Handicrafts.
Community-based skills: Boat Safety, Brick-laying, Bee-keeping, Conservation, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition
BFFF fieldwork determined that young people in this Lake Bunyonyi region desire: i) a future with a sustainable job, ii) learning new skills, iii) having peace and safety in homes, iv) fertile soil with enough nutritious food to eat, v) being happy with their siblings being in school, and vi) being actively involved in solving community issues (i.e., environmental sustainability).
Men and Women in the BFFF community have been contacted with an interest to teach Carpentry, Handicrafts, Sewing, Swimming Lessons, and Boat Safety with BFFF youth group members. The Food Forest Demonstration gardens will also offer training and skills for sustainable agriculture. |
“I am honoured to be here and to learn new skills and be part of changing my community”
“I am happy to have the opportunity to learn more about farming to improve our living”
“I want to learn more about Food Forests and new methods for farming and agriculture”
“I want to learn more about Nature and Food Forest Farming”
(Youth Voices)
A supply shed and workshop has been constructed the support Youth skills training and community action projects.
