Meet Rebecca, a thriving teenage farmer from Dokolo district

November 15, 2023

Rebecca in her eggplant garden.

In 2023, ChildFund, through the Women and Youth Economic Empowerment Project financed by the Coca-Cola Foundation, trained Rebecca in general agriculture, horticulture and was also supported with 4 piglets, a hand pump and planting seeds of cabbage, tomatoes and eggplants.

At only 18 years, she established a piggery farm, from which she was able to buy a bull. She also started a poultry project and is now able to support her family of 8 members with basic needs. Today, she saves UGX30,000 ($ 8) per week in a local savings group.

Her total savings amount to UGX 1,560,000 ($ 425). She plans to use her savings to build a permanent house for her parents. This inspiring young woman, with a generous heart now intends to expand her enterprise and venture into goat and sheep rearing.

To date, she still has access to extension services with support from Lango Child and Community Development Federation (LACCODEF), one of our local Implementing Partners in the region.

“Before the training, the situation was horrible. We hardly met the basic needs. I had to drop out of school in Primary 6 as a result. Today, I feel so lucky and I am grateful to ChildFund, and LACCODEF for supporting me,” she said.

There is no doubt that Rebecca has so much potential and is an inspiration to many youth out there who are still struggling to make a decent living.

Just like Rebecca, the Women and Youth Economic Empowerment Project has touched over 440 youth, transforming their lives through skills development, environmental sustainability, and economic diversification. The impact of the Women and Youth Economic Empowerment Project has been extraordinary.

Teenage mothers saw an extraordinary 4,345% increase in their annual income.
Youth participants experienced an 810% increase in their income.
Children involved in the program also saw a substantial income rise of 1,078%.

These remarkable outcomes highlight the success of the project in improving livelihoods and creating sustainable economic opportunities for women, teenage mothers, and youth in the Lango and Teso sub-regions. The project was based on the belief that with the right skills and resources, individuals can meet their basic needs, invest in their futures, and become self-resilient.