an 2023// I have remained in contact with +256 YP community since 2017 and I feel compelled to do something to help support this incredible community of radical activists who are shaking things up. The fact that the incredible work they do is all voluntary shows first hand the incredible impact the group has - and they are long over due an income from it. Day dreams are often halted because of a need to find finances to get things of the ground let alone to get basic needs met such as food, water, a roof, transport and any other necessary supplies. Grand ideas of how to generate income to continue to dance in my mind but I was struggling to make sense of how they could be achieved without initial funding. Luckily I didn’t need to worry about not having the answers. As with many youth projects, people move on and in comes others with new energy, vision and passion.
A group of girls came together and found a solution.
If they could learn skills to make products or offer a service they could then earn from they afford their own school fees.
In Uganda children need to pay for their education averaging around a few £100 a year (this covers school fees, matrials and items for boarding). Any profit made could go back in to supporting others. There are teenage mothers who missed out on finishing school and don’t anticipate to return often losing support from family due to shame. A young man in a wheel chair joined who also had challenges getting school fees together. This has led the group to think about anyone who requires support, they can join in too!
Here is a group of feminists, radically they are not waiting around for handouts or someone else to save the day. They are tired of this old rhetoric that girls are destined to become wives and mothers, they want more for their lives - and to not have to become financially dependant on a man.
The group managed to source bicycles last you to trial mobilising their work to reach a wider audience. However, in some of the rural parts from where the group is from, a female riding a bicycle is seen as controversial. The young women were supported to reflect on what the impactful work they were doing. They navigated difficult conversations with local elders and spoke about inspiring the next generation to dream even bigger.
Here we have a group of feminists bringing change to their communities; other girls, other young people in their community may see themselves represented by this group of young women and smash any self limiting beliefs they may have around what they can and can’t be when they grow up.
It may look small but it’s impact is massive.
There is a group of teenage mothers who are a part of the +256 community.
It is this group that I particularly care for. Uganda, like many countries doesn’t have a benefits system that offers financial support to those in need. Despite now welfare system people still have to afford rent, buy food - to pay bills. There is also high unemployment particularly for young people, this can be expected in countries with corrupt political systems in place. There’s the reality that women earn less than men, and in a country where women are perceived as a subservient to the husband, it is important for young people to see representation of equity and equality if they are ever to lift themselves out of poverty.
Many young girls may find themselves in unhealthy, toxic and often abusive relationships. A controlling partner offers a place to live and possibly eat in exchange for the denial of freedom and the dependency of an abusers.
Additionally Uganda have brought back the death penalty for people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Youth energy dies if it cannot see a future.
We must keep creating opportunities for young people to thrive, to express their own unique, individuality in creative beautiful ways. To let their light continue to shine.
This group of young women organise their on vocational training. They are making arrangements to sell items in local venues. They are motivated and dedicated, eagerly joining together to make their vision into a reality. This makes it particularly important to ensure that they are successful so that they can not only develop these profesional skills but so they can actually afford to complete their own studies and pay their school fees.
This is why I continue to support the young people to get an education and to have safe(r) space to meet, to be supported and nurtured.
We are looking for funds to support this group of young people, to ensure that they can afford food, to pay their rent and to afford their education, whilst they work on setting up their ‘school fees shop’.
“‘Hello everyone, my name is Atim Mary Agnes (AMA) one of the girls of +256 Youth Platform and I am in my senior six vacation
Unfortunately for me, things did not go as I had expected but they were not just bad but even worse. For a moment I felt like I was losing it as I continuously felt stuck and life was proving worse than I had imagined and this always brought back the word of my teachers ringing in my ears, “your leaving this place but you will see the real world.”
serve my community and help more girls thus solving not just one problem but even more as I help fellow girls facing hardships similar to mine and more. Now volunteering with +256 I have managed to face my beasts because I have mentors around me and this goes to all people who can reach a girl(s) that the best you can offer to them now is mentorship and that way many of them won’t have to take decisions they would later regret.”
— Atim Mary Agnes
Support young women like Mary. Donate here.
Mary will be volunteering her time to focus on getting the project off the ground and supporting other girls and others in need in their community. Mary has a budget of £60 per month to cover her personal needs (rent, food, toiletries, etc.) which we are keen to get covered so that she can focus her attention on the task of assisting others. Along side this we are ensuring Mary is well supported emotionally to build resilience when working with those with complex needs and recognising when and how to implement self care practices. If you would like to support the wonderful Mary or any of the young people please consider donating here.