Cultivating Capacity: Empower Rural Ugandan Youth!

Hello from the farm! 

We cannot thank you enough for your support for Thriving Youth Farmers Uganda. 

Below we describe how the seeds you nourished have grown over the last few months!

You’ll also see more details about "Discover TYoFU," the upcoming, online informational session at which we’d love to meet you and/or your friends!

Scroll all the way down for a few more recent photos for your viewing pleasure! 

We hope you feel as proud as we do.

THE HARVEST

There is nothing as satisfactory as harvesting the fruits of your labor. And the community of families we are bringing together and uplifting is the most gratifying harvest! It is for them that we keep on.

We empowered local youth, men and women to plant and nurture our garden. And our successful harvest was made possible through sustainable practices! We used poultry waste and weed decomposition to enrich the soil, embraced crop rotation, and implemented companion planting. These organic methods not only boost fertility but also promote a healthier ecosystem.

See the infographic at the bottom of the report to get a sense for what and how much we are harvesting.

THE FISH POND

Our new fish pond will ensure that the community always has access to safe, nutritious food that supports their health and well-being.

Youth and women will earn income by selling fish and its products, helping them meet daily livelihood needs. It also empowers them with hands-on skills.

Income from the project will help families afford school fees and supplies, ensuring children can attend school.

We're raising Singida Tilapia, a species found around River Mayanja that naturally appeared in one of our ponds! Protecting and nurturing it helps us preserve local natural resources.

By managing the vegetables and trees around the pond to prevent overgrazing and excess shade, we ensure a healthy balance. We're also embracing eco-friendly design with natural filtration, native plants, and rainwater harvesting.

Together, these efforts create a thriving, sustainable aquatic ecosystem that benefits both our community and the environment.

EXPANDING OUR TEAM

We are expanding! TYoFU would not be possible without devoted volunteers. We feel so lucky to have invited three more skilled volunteers to join our team this season, and we are looking forward to introducing them to you.

Elly Felix Muwesi is helping to organize and advise our Advancement and Development work. He brings experience in banking, management, consulting, and computing. A Ugandan himself, Elly is passionate about expanding opportunities for the youth of Uganda.

Adithi Sathiyan is our Communications & Fundraising Volunteer Manager. She is a student at King’s College London, studying International Relations. Adithi is particularly passionate about TYoFU’s mission to farm in regenerative and climate-friendly ways.

Joaquina Telpuk is offering her writing and critical thinking skills as a grant-writer for TYoFU. A student of Anthropology and Economics, she is passionate about the ways in which TYoFU seeks to address key sustainable development goals, including quality of life for all. Joaquina hails from Argentina.

See photos of Elly, Adithi, and Joaquina at the end of this report!

COME MEET US, AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!

We are hosting a public, online event so you can get to know us! This is an easy way to learn more about us within a 1/2 hour Zoom event (or stay on for longer, if you'd like to mix & mingle!)

Discover TYoFU: Empowering Youth, Growing Futures will be an opportunity to learn how our young NGO is transforming lives through sustainable farming, youth empowerment, and community-driven initiatives. This will be a chance for you to hear personal stories, meet others who are passionate about creating lasting change, and learn about options to connect or support.

This meeting will be available on two separate days to accommodate different time zones. You are welcome to join us, and also to invite friends who might be interested in attending! Join us at the links below.

Saturday, November 23rd - 9am PST / 12pm EST / 5pm GMT

• PST (Los Angeles): 9:00 AM
• CST (Mexico City): 11:00 AM
• EST (New York): 12:00 PM
• GMT (London): 5:00 PM
• EAT (Uganda): 8:00 PM

and/or

Saturday, December 14th - 9am GMT/ 12pm TRT / 2:30pm IST

• GMT (London): 9:00 AM
• EAT (Uganda): 12:00 PM (noon)
• IST (India): 2:30 PM
• JST (Tokyo): 6:00 PM
• AEDT (Sydney): 8:00 PM

Click the links below on the day of to join us, or click them NOW to receive a calendar reminder!

November 23rd

December 14th

Whether we see you there or not, know that we are sending our deepest gratitude!

Thank you for keeping us in your mind and heart.

Martin & the TYoFU team

Links:

• Discover TYoFU - November 23rd Option
• Discover TYoFU - December 14th Option

Dear supporters,

In our Quarterly GlobalGiving Report, want to extend a huge thank you to all of you. This spring, with your help and the match we received through GlobalGiving, we raised over $2,000 and moved our vision forward. Our mighty monthly donors also keep us going! 

Below are some updates and photos of our projects, as well as a heads up about our July Bonus Day, an opportunity for TYoFU to receive match from GlobalGiving for any donations over $100! Our aim is to build a regenerative model that gives hope and inspiration back to you and many, many others. We need each other. Thank you again.

The Fish Pond Project

In order to feed healthy food to the community, TYoFU is nurturing a fish pond on the farm. Youth from the local area helped introduce fish to the pond, learning much in the process! Ideally a bigger pond will be created, bringing more revenue to support TYoFU’s efforts.

Training Award

After applying, Thriving Youth Farmers Uganda was granted a spot in the Youth Startup Academy Uganda (YSAU) this past spring. Martin attended the intensive academy, learning about best practices for startups, such as how to effectively pitch ideas to funders and investors. We are grateful to YSAU for offering TYoFU the opportunity to attend.

A Season of Potatoes, Beans, Cassava & Maize

Life flourishes in naturally rich Ugandan soil. After care and cultivation, our potatoes, beans, cassava, and maize crops are growing steadily. The nutrition from these crops is vital to sustaining wellbeing in our community.

Fun Fact: In the United States, we typically use the term corn instead of maize, but they are virtually the same. Corn is typically used to refer to the yellow kernels filling farm fields in autumn, but maize on a broader scale comes in many different colors, heights, and is cultivated for different purposes around the world. In fact, it is the most commonly grown crop on the planet and can be used as a cereal grain, broken down into flours for cakes, soups, or tortillas, and it is also commonly used to feed livestock.

Sanitary Facilities Progress: structurally sound, but awaiting further funds!

Nearly a year ago, TYoFU broke ground on its biodigester project, the most sustainable option for processing natural waste. After finishing that, the team moved on to building the above-ground structure - a multi-stall facility for hygiene that will serve farmers, visitors, and volunteers alike! These facilities are just awaiting funds for completion.

Consider donating or please SPREAD THE WORD: July 10th, we receive MATCH on this site, GlobalGiving, for donations of $100 or more!

Founding a farm and vocational training center (an Integrated Farming Hub) in Uganda, where we lack regular internet, technology, and power, is no small undertaking. For the rest of this year, TYoFU is going to raising funds for key capital projects - investments into sustainable power, office technology, farm buildings (like the sanitary facilities), and the fish pond. TYoFU will increase its revenue as the farm grows, but outside funding underpins the investment in infrastructure needed now, as well as expanded youth services. On July 10th, supporters can donate to our main Project Page or specifically to our Tech for Life Microproject fund.

TYoFU seeks partners and remote volunteers!

Interdependence is how the work happens! We seek international volunteers with skills in content writing, fundraising and grant-writing. We are also interested in partnering with a symbiotic NGO who provides related services or regenerative agricultural training. If this request sparks an idea or you feel the call to offer your services, please email us at thrivingyouthfarmersuganda@gmail.com!

With deep gratitude,

Martin and the TYoFU Team