Becoming a Voice for Youth in Amolatar
With 78% of its population under the age of 30, Uganda is home to the world’s youngest population — so why aren’t more organizations looking to children, teens and young adults for inspiration to solve major social issues? It has always been in our DNA to harness the power of young people to change the world. As a team young people ourselves all under the age of 30, we know first hand how important it is for youth to have a voice and a seat at the decision-making table.
Last week, the Amolatar District local government reached out to our co-founder & Country Director, Collines Angwech, about an event they were hosting to celebrate the power of young people across the district. As the only NGO working in Amolatar to motivate kids and teens through education, Far Away Friends had the unique opportunity to become a title sponsor for the event and share our programs and vision with over 500 leaders, parents and youth from all across the 11 sub counties of Amolatar!
During the event, youth from across the district shared some of the key issues that they struggle with in their communities and areas where kids and teens in the region need more support, such as:
Provision of good health services
Guidance & counseling in social services, career guidance & sex education
Skill Development Seminars & Workshops, Vocational Training & Entry to jobs in Agriculture
Greater representation in district-level decision making
Collines spoke about why Far Away Friends is investing in the youth of Amolatar and how our programs are aimed at raising the “whole child” rather than focusing on education, healthcare or opportunity alone. We were so proud to be a part of such a powerful district-wide event where we could share our work with local people from across Amolatar and hear directly from youth in Amolatar about how we can better serve them, address their needs and amplify their voices.
Board Member Rita Omia, FAF Communications Officer Brandt Hermus Ssemwatika, Youth Rep. Emanuel “Pule” (who is also the face of FAF’s Logo!) and Programs Manager Robert Omia at the FAF Informational table to share more about our work in the community.
At Far Away Friends, we believe that all social issues the world is facing today could be solved by investing in children. By focusing on raising the whole child to become a thoughtful, successful and empathetic global citizen, together we can empower an entire generation of young people to create change in their own communities…but we can’t do it without you.
Youth from across Amolatar were in attendance at the event, including students from Global Leaders and FAF School Outreach partner, Namasale Primary School. Photo provided by FAFUganda & Amolatar District with permission to post.
We need YOU to join us in amplifying the voices and serving the needs of young people in rural Uganda. With only $25, you can become an investor in our whole child model by becoming an Advocate — our monthly giving community which funds teacher’s salaries, mentorship for teens, healthy school meals, business training workshops and more!
Join us in placing tomorrow’s leaders on a pathway out of poverty by becoming an Advocate
