“Empowering Youth, Protecting Nature, Preserving Culture”
Jacana -Youth & Children for Change.
At Jacana, we believe every young person deserves the chance to thrive, no matter their background. Our programs empower school dropouts in Kabale (Kigezi region, Uganda) with livelihood skills, environment protection, cultural heritage, and community support systems.
Together, these four pillars create a holistic model where youth gain practical skills, families embrace education, and the community safeguards its culture and wetlands for future generations.
School children
In Uganda, 45% of primary children drop out earlier before finishing their education, while 30% of secondary school children leave school earlier before finishing. hunger, child labor, early pregnancy, domestic violence, orphanhood, menstruation challenges, long distances to schools for disabled children are major causes of school dropouts.
Livelihood Skills for youths
Unlike youth in towns and urban centers who can access skills training centers, children in rural areas are left behind. Without livelihood skill centers, they face poverty, early marriages, substance abuse, child labor, and hopelessness. This is even more severe among orphans, minority tribes, the physically challenged, and those from poor families.
Traditional Crafts
There is need for a creative workplace and a learning center, where every young person, build their future, promote, and actively support eco-tourism in our community. By building a rural workplace, we create more than a roof, we create opportunity, dignity, and a future for children who would otherwise be forgotten.
Jacana is a unique and colorful bird that walks on floating lilies. It strides across challenging waters with courage and grace, serving as a living example of resilience, growth, and hope for youth and children.
For this reason, Jacana stands as the flagship of our Youth & Children for Change programs, representing new beginnings, strength in hardships, and the power of possibility.
For our organization, Jacana is a proud symbol of our commitment to empower the next generation with livelihood skills, opportunities, and the belief that they can rise above limitations to create lasting change in their lives, nature, culture, and the community.
Youth & Children for Change (YCC), is a registered non-profit community-based organization in Uganda.