The Wakitaka Youth Development Group (WYDG) trains young people in income-generating activities, such as raising livestock, growing vegetables, and selling handmade crafts. WYDG is also dedicated to educating villagers about malaria and HIV/AIDS prevention.

First chicken sales produce a healthy profit

“The Wakitaka Youth Development Group (WYDG) has made a remarkable progress,” says Facilitator Maria Zandt of the UK.

The first project involves raising chickens. To keep the birds healthy and growing, the youth perform a number of daily tasks.

“The youths made a timetable that they follow while executing their duties,” Emmanuel said. “Each of the youths has a role to play. While one fetches water for the birds, another does the provision of food into the feeders and water into the drinkers.

“They enjoy the project activities, because of shared responsibilities. The activities have actually helped them improve on their team spirit, which is vital for the successful implementation of the projects.”

Once the first batch of chickens reached a good size, they were sold to local businessmen. One man purchased 15 chickens, while another bought 80 birds. The young people had hoped to earn $141, but some buyers wanted quantity discounts. In the end, the youth recorded a profit of just over 86USD.

“This is a good record for the first try,” Emmanuel reports. “The youths are very happy with it.”

They plan to raise 250 chickens for the second round. This time, they will negotiate fixed-price contracts with their buyers, so they will not be vulnerable to market fluctuations. They are also trying to source a bicycle to transport their goods to market.

In addition to buying the new chicks, WYDG used the profits to purchase a female piglet. It will be raised by a new group of young people.

Goat project grows 50% overnight

Another WYDG group elected to raise goats. They purchased six females in the spring, and welcomed their first offspring in June. Overnight, the goat herd grew from six to nine.

“One of the six goats (the brownish one in the pictures below) gave birth to triplets on Tuesday 23rd June,” Emmanuel reported. “Two females and a male. They are all in good health.

“It is such good news that the goat project has also started to expand. More youths will definitely benefit from the project as the goats multiply in number.”

Creative solutions solve gardening challenges

WYDG designated a quarter-acre of land as a test plot for growing vegetables. The youth planted cabbages and other hearty crops.

"They are growing well,” Emmanuel said, “but are eaten by the neighbouring chicken, which remains a big problem.” The youth are making new nursery beds for vegetables that won’t be destroyed by the chickens such as onions, egg plants ans red pepper. Fencing the test plot was looked into but proved to be expensive for the youth.

Neighbours suggested bucket drip irrigation to water the nursery beds, but Emmanuel could not find an affordable kit. Instead, he brought regular garden hoses in Kampala, which the youth punctured with holes to soak the plants.

Craft business finds a new home

Handmade crafts are a tradition in Wakitaka. Elderly women weave mats and baskets from locally available materials, while children make beads and greeting cards from waste paper, clay and jatropha seeds. They even produce their own glue to construct the cards.

Some talented young people also sculpt faces, birds and pottery from clay and wood, while others design unique ties. While they have enormous talent, the youth have trouble finding buyers for their work.

“The local people are much more interested in buying the modern products at higher prices than the ones made out of the locally available materials,” Emmanuel said.

Knowing tourists are more likely to buy their wares, WYDG rented space at the Nile source, a popular local attraction. When they sold only two beads and a wall hanging in the first week, they turned their attention to marketing.

They plan to make a sign that will draw attention to the shop. They also contacted local safari providers to try and boost traffic from tour groups.

Youth seek resources for malaria and HIV/AIDS initiatives

In addition to generating income, the youth are eager to educate their families and friends about malaria and HIV/AIDS prevention. At their craft shop, they ask for donations from tourists to purchase malaria nets.

Emmanuel also reached out to the Christian Child Fund in Uganda for health education and training in the village.

New logo and blog boost public relations

The youth designed the logo below for WYDG.

Neighbour Chang helped the youth transform it into digital format to use in public relations and marketing efforts.

Emmanuel and Maria also set up an email address for WYDG (wakitakayouths@yahoo.com) and started a blog for the project at www.wakitakayouths.wordpress.com. They are looking for Neighours to help write content and build a website to tell the story of this industrious and enterprising village.

To learn more, visit Wakitaka.

(story by Jessica Fagerhaugh)