By Martin Tomusange | Founder & Director
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.
WE HAVE BIG NEWS this quarter. We are excited to share about the progress of our fish ponds and the dissemination of aquaculture education to the community. These efforts on the part of the TYoFU team and Kalongero community were made possible by a one-time grant of $5,000 from the School for International Training (SIT)’s Alice Rowan Swanson Fellowship, which was procured for TYoFU by volunteer and SIT alumnae Allie Stankewich, pictured above at the very top right.
We think you will be amazed by what has been made possible, and the hard work of the people involved. Scroll all the way down for a few more recent photos for your viewing pleasure!
FROM ONE SMALL FISH POND TO A FOUR-POND SYSTEM!
We have long desired to have fish ponds on the farm, and we began fundraising for the effort in 2024. We know that cultivating fish, in ways that actually support the flourishing of the entire ecosystem, is one of the best ways to make sure the community has a renewable source of safe, nutritious food. Furthermore, aquaculture creates a meaningful source of revenue for our farm, and gives us the opportunity to train community members and youth in meaningful and transferable skills.
Allie Stankewich, TYoFU volunteer and recipient of the Alice Rowan Swanson Fellowship from SIT, procured the funds to make the initial labor on the project possible. Whereas TYoFU had been able to dig one, smaller pond in 2024, in the past few weeks, the community has worked incredibly hard to build out three more ponds: a nursery pond, a water reservoir, and a pond for rearing fish. These ponds have sufficient depth and breadth to rear the fish desired. The ponds are expected to rear 10,000-15,000 fish per pond. You can read more about Allie and the grant here: https://www.sit.edu/story/alice-rowan-swanson-fellow-fish-farm-uganda/.
Education was built into the project proposal. Multiple trainings were held for the community of Kalongero, as you will see in the photos. Under-resourced youth engaged with farm staff and local educators to learn about aquaculture, nutrition, resource management, and community sanitation.
There is more work yet to do! We would like to add one or two more ponds for grading and the separation of catfish. With further funding, we will plant vegetables and trees around the pond to prevent overgrazing and excess shade. We will also increase natural filtration, native plants, and rainwater harvesting. Together, these efforts create a thriving, sustainable aquatic ecosystem that benefits both our community and the environment.
PLANTING & HARVESTING
Don’t forget the produce! In Uganda, it is always growing season. The TYoFU team has been planting cabbage, yam, cassava, trees, and compound grass, and harvesting tomatoes.
We continue to use sustainable practices, such as the creation and application of organic fertilizers and pesticides, the use of crop rotation, and companion planting. These organic methods not only boost fertility but also promote a healthier ecosystem.
KNOW A POTENTIAL ALLY?
TYoFU continues to rely on donations, and yet partnership is also essential to create the integrated farming hub we dream of. We know that supporters may also have leads to organizations or individuals who, like the School for International Training, offer grants, partnership, or in-kind donations for the kind of work we are doing - whether regenerative farming, solar energy, climate resilience, sustainable livestock rearing, youth employment, or another area of common purpose. So please share our work far and wide, and if a potential ally comes to mind, we would love to meet them! And thank you for being an ally yourself!
Wishing you abundance and hope,
Martin & the TYoFU team
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