African Road began supporting Togetherness Youth Cooperative projects in 2010. Today, with financial help from African Road and by their own hard work,the youth have a six-acre farm where they are growing plantains and other staple crops, raising cows, chickens and goats, and holding a preschool for village children. There is a solar powered well on their farm, meeting their own needs for clean safe water, as well as the surrounding village. They own and run a flour mill serving the village. The rough, hand leveled soccer pitch on the farm serves as a vital community gathering place – young people come from all around to play, and villagers always line the field to watch.
As young adults now, with so many more advantages, the children’s lives are being transformed. They are more food secure and have access to medical care. They serve as leaders in their community, sharing their resources with those in need. Better living conditions and the ability to attend school are still serious needs but now these seem real possibilities, not just far-off dreams.
Of course, there are also new challenges. Owning a farm requires a great investment of time and energy. Gaining status in the community means people from the village and local leaders look to the youth for help and leadership. There are many serious and meaningful decisions for them to make. They are finding that they have more to learn about farming and community leadership.
The kids work hard each day to grow crops and tend their fields. They have built a beautiful farm. They continue to learn and seek training to improve on what they are doing. African Road intern Sarah Lackner spent two months with the youth, bringing her expertise in organic farming to them. Sarah, Lori and the Togetherness leadership committee made a learning trip to a successful organic farming project in Uganda. With Sarah’s encouragement they have begun to apply what they learned and have started a composting project to keep their soil healthy.
When I sit in on their leadership committee meetings and general membership meetings, when I watch them farm and work and teach, I am so encouraged about their chances for secure, improved lives. What an amazing opportunity to continue supporting their progress.
Togetherness Land on purchase day
The hard work of breaking the soil by hand has begun
Togetherness farm today
Young village children had no where to go and no supervision while their parents worked in the fields
Togetherness Youth began a preschool to serve their neighbors
- Until months ago the Togetherness Youth walked hours a day for water
Now there is fresh water on their own land pumped by solar power
The solar panels
Now the youth can grow their own food like potatoes
… and bananas
Small business initiatives leading to a better future
The mill
Togetherness sign