Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Rural Youth in Uganda
We work with school dropouts to develop employable skills, foster entrepreneurship, and create lasting impact in their communities.
Where are we located?
Southwestern kigezi region in Uganda is famous for mountain gorillas, high hills, deep valleys, swamps/wetlands around Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest in Africa. But behind the beauty is an invisible generational poverty, and a high rate of school dropouts that results into drug addiction, child labour, and early marriage.
Who we are?
Jacana is a flagship name for Youth & Children for Change, a legally registered community-based organization that empowers school dropouts and vulnerable youth in rural communities of Kigezi region in Uganda through green livelihood and vocational skills such as traditional crafts, bamboo construction, boat building, bee keeping, and environmental protection. Our approach combines skills development, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation to help young people earn a living, gain confidence, and contribute to sustainable community growth.
What we do ?
School dropout rate in Uganda
School Dropout in Uganda has been increasing over the years, with primary schools standing at 45%, and 30% for secondary. School attendance for both boys and girls in primary between 2013 and 2018 declined by 20% which affected educational performance outputs countrywide
Raw materials from Nyombe wetland
Nyombe wetland has many reeds, papyrus, and other species used in traditional crafts, there is need to protect the swamp against fire, and also through wetland conservation.
Informal tailoring workshop
Youth engage in tailoring in an informal way for livelihood skills, especially those in urban settings. The rural youths don’t get the chance unlike youth in rural communities.
About us
Idealogy
Education is not limited to classrooms, but continues through hands-on experiences, cultural wisdom, and sustainable livelihoods that strengthen families and communities.
Vision
a strong, inclusive community where no young person is left behind because of their background, and where vulnerable children grow into resilient ‘’water walkers’’ capable of creating sustainable futures while preserving their culture, and nature.
Mission
To break the cycles of poverty, and exclusion by empowering rural school dropouts with practical livelihood skills, life skills and opportunities that enable them to thrive, and support their families, protect environment, and promote cultural heritage.
Philosophy
We believe that every young person, regardless of their background or circumstance, holds the potential to create positive change for themselves and their community. True empowerment begins when individuals are equipped with both practical skills and a sense of purpose
Together with school dropout youth, we want to make our region also famous skilled houseboat builders with a water walker floating village that contains workshop, coffee shop. It will be a living classroom for school dropouts and a model for introducing environmentally friendly houseboats culture to Africa
JACANA CONTACT ADDRESS
Plot 64 Kabale-Kisoro-Road.Kabale district, Kigezi Region, Uganda.Tel:
+256773714886
+256755858047
Email: info@jacanaafrica.org
Volunteers:
Email:volunteers@jacanaafrica.org
+256775687510
