GoMakeADifference

Kuokoa Watoto

The Kukua Watoto project aimed to educate youth on healthy living habits, productive lifestyles, and positive mindsets to keep them away from drugs and help them become hardworking as well as open-minded citizens. The project targeted both refugee and citizen youths of Bweyale, Kiryandongo refugee camp.

Project details:

As planned, we hope to start up a foundation that can continue for the rest of the generations where we can be able to offer youths life skills and continually give hope to those who feel there's no more chance in life. And now, this foundation has been set, with continued support from our volunteers, we shall always be holding semesters at least once a month where youths can come and share life sharing ideas. And in case of availability of funds, we shall be proving some entrepreneurship training with live demonstrations. Thanks to the go make a difference initiatives for making this long hoped dream come true.

The project achieved significant outcomes:

Sensitized 30+ youths on dangers of drug use, including alcohol and cigarettes, which can cause lung cancer, brain damage, eye pain, body weakness, quick aging, poor vision, premature death, mental retardation, andlaziness. Youth appreciated the knowledge and expressed a desire to change harmful habits.

Discussed business ideas, with participants sharing insights based on suggested prompts. This helped them understand what they needed to start a business and how to effectively run and manage a business.

Built self-worth. The project was able to make youths realize they are valuable community members with great potential. Many wrong choices were due to unavoidable life circumstances, not deliberate ill intent, the community therefore should accept them the way they are and give support rather than criticizing them.

Restored hope among disadvantaged youths, which made them feel loved, supported, and valued despite community stigma. It was my pride to see myself come up with something like this which is a game changer.

Helped some start businesses, fostering pride in earning and saving their own income. The materials we bought using the funds are in enough quantity to ensure the start of a thriving business.

It was also a personal growth for me as the project leader by fulfilling a dream to address and inspire the community, learning public speaking, organization skills, and humility from elders.

A notable case was Mr. Opio Komakech, once better-off but ruined by gambling anddrugs. He openly shared his story and admitted past arrogance, teaching the group the importance of helping others and learning from mistakes.

Post-project comments:

Lessons learned during the course of the project.

Never judge without knowing the root cause of any misconduct someone does. Others are beyond human intervention.

Life changes — today’s disadvantaged may thrive tomorrow.

Hard work and patience bring results. If repeated, the project would target more beneficiaries and secure a larger venue, as knowledge and shared ideas are powerful even without material gains.