Rise and Thrive: Giving Youth a Chance

Project Background

On 4 November 2025, Amani Transformational Foundation (ATF) launched the Rise and Thrive Poultry Initiative by providing 20 Kenbro improved chickens to the Inzonzi Kolaki Ta Group, which consists of five members.

The initiative aims to:

• Strengthen economic empowerment among vulnerable group members, particularly adolescents and teenage mothers.
• Promote collective income-generating activities.
• Encourage teamwork and shared responsibilities.

The project operates as a group-managed enterprise, where all members jointly manage feeding, sheltering, treatment, and monitoring of the chickens.

Type of Chickens Supplied

The group received 20 Kenbro improved chickens, a dual-purpose hybrid breed suitable for both meat and egg production under rural conditions. The breed is hardy and adaptable, making it suitable for community livelihood projects.

However, the batch included more male cocks than hens, which may affect the level of future egg production.

Project Duration and Growth Stage

As of 28 February 2026, the chickens are approximately four months old. Kenbro chickens typically begin laying eggs at 5–6 months, therefore it is expected that egg production has not yet started. The birds remain in their growth stage.

Current Project Status

• Total chickens received: 20
• Chickens currently alive: 20
• Age: Approximately 4 months
• Egg production: Not yet started

The group has demonstrated strong commitment through:

• Construction and maintenance of a poultry shelter
• Daily feeding using available resources and feed
• Regular cleaning and hygiene maintenance
• Rotational sharing of responsibilities
• Provision of treatment and medicines when necessary

All 20 chickens remain alive and growing, reflecting good management by the group.

Challenges Encountered

1. Poultry Disease in the District
A poultry disease outbreak has been reported in the district, and some project chickens have shown signs of illness. The group responded promptly by:

• Administering appropriate medicines
• Monitoring sick birds closely
• Limiting access to the poultry house
• Strengthening hygiene and biosecurity practices

Their response has prevented any mortality so far.

2. Financial Constraints
Most members of the group are currently unemployed or have unstable incomes, which limits their ability to:

• Contribute funds for poultry feed
• Purchase veterinary medicines promptly
• Manage unexpected project expenses

Despite this, members continue contributing what they can and remain committed to sustaining the project.

3. Gender Imbalance of Birds
The higher number of male birds compared to hens may reduce potential egg production and delay steady income from egg sales.

Positive Outcomes Observed

Despite the challenges, the project has achieved several positive results:

• 100% survival rate of all 20 chickens
• Strengthened teamwork among group members
• Improved knowledge of poultry management
• Increased awareness of disease control and biosecurity
• Enhanced group cooperation and responsibility

The group remains motivated and hopeful as they wait for the hens to reach laying age.

Recommendations

• Introduce broiler chickens in future phases to support quicker income generation through meat production.
• Provide veterinary support and monitoring, especially during the current district-wide poultry disease outbreak.

Conclusion

The Rise and Thrive Poultry Initiative continues to show resilience and commitment from the Inzonzi Kolakita Group. Although egg production has not yet begun due to the chickens’ age, all 20 Kenbro chickens remain alive and under active management.

Despite financial challenges and the ongoing disease outbreak, the group has taken responsible steps to treat sick birds and strengthen biosecurity. With continued support and monitoring, the project has strong potential to achieve its intended economic and nutritional benefits in the coming months.

• Rise and Thrive Success Story March 2026 (PDF)
  

Background

The Amani Transformational Foundation (ATF) is a small but steadily growing indigenous organization implementing the Rise and Thrive Skills Development Project for adolescent girls. The initiative operates in Moyo and Adjumani Districts, with a major focus on promoting girl-child education and empowerment. The girl-centered initiative is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for adolescent girls and teenage mothers, enabling them to gain education, life skills, and economic empowerment. The project was established in response to the pressing challenges faced by young women in the two districts—particularly high rates of teenage pregnancy, early marriages, and limited access to education. These challenges are further compounded by cultural norms and societal attitudes that reinforce gender inequality and discrimination against girls. Since its inception, the project has successfully raised awareness among hundreds of school-going children and directly engaged 68 adolescent girls and teenage mothers, beginning with an initial cohort of 18 and expanding to 32 within a year. At present, 18 girls are actively enrolled in the ongoing program, benefiting from mentorship, skills development, and psychosocial support.

Main Objectives

The overarching goal of the Rise and Thrive Skills Development Project is to economically empower teenage and young mothers, thereby improving their quality of life through access to vocational and income-generating skills. Specifically, the project seeks to:

• Build capacity in various crafts and entrepreneurial skills.

• Provide access to basic financial services and knowledge to foster self-reliance.

• Increase awareness about self-sufficiency and sustainable livelihoods.

In the long term, the project aims to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of beneficiaries by contributing to increased household income, improved health outcomes, and better educational and nutritional conditions for both mothers and their children.

Methodology and Selection Criteria for skills development beneficiaries

To ensure fairness, transparency, and accuracy in the beneficiary selection process, a face-to-face interview session was conducted. A panel of two ATF volunteers facilitated the interviews with the shortlisted girls. The interview questions were derived from a United Nations framework defining youth, which outlines specific criteria for identifying the most suitable candidates for such opportunities. A total of seven (7) girls participated in the interviews. Following a comprehensive assessment, two candidates were selected for full sponsorship under the skills training program. These successful candidates will undertake a six month training in tailoring and design, as well as liquid soap making.

Recognizing the exceptional motivation and challenging socio-economic circumstances of two additional girls, ATF decided to extend partial support to them. They were offered admission into the program on a half-sponsorship basis, given the foundation’s limited financial resources. This decision reflects ATF’s commitment to inclusivity and its willingness to go the extra mile to empower vulnerable girls facing hardship.

Training Details

The skills training program will run for a duration of six months, during which the girls will receive both theoretical instruction and hands-on practical sessions. At the completion of the training, each participant will be awarded a certificate of completion, signifying their readiness to pursue self-employment or engage in income-generating activities. Practical sessions are currently underway, with beneficiaries actively participating under the guidance of a skilled instructor. (Photographs of the trainees engaged in practical work are attached below.)