Rise and Thrive: Giving Youth a Chance

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.)