Ubunifu II Youth Project
Ubunifu II Youth Project
Introduction
The Ubunifu II Youth Project (UYP) is a two-year project funded by Norwegian Pentecostal Mission (NPM), advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda by addressing the needs of excluded, out-of-school youth (ages 16 to 30) in Turkana County.
These young people often face neglect in development initiatives, resulting in poorer income, lower life expectancy, and limited access to education. As a result, they are especially vulnerable to challenges such as climate change and violence.
The project focused on empowering these youth by providing crucial livelihood skills and promoting economic growth. The project led to their active participation in decision-making processes and created safe spaces for civic engagement.
Beginning in the sub-counties of Aroo, Turkana Central, and Loima, the UYP aims to improve the quality of life in communities like Lorugum, Nabuin, Kainuk, Lokichar, Kalemngorok, Katilu, and Lodwar Town. The project places a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainable development.
Beneficiaries at lorughum and Katilu in turkana county being trained on hairdressing (photo taken by David Esto)
Key result of the project include:
- Increased resilience to climate change
- Behavioral shifts
- Creation of new livelihood opportunities
- Enhanced inclusion in development processes, achieved through collaboration with key stakeholders
Project Outcomes:
Outcome 1
Targeted out-of-school youth will demonstrate improved attitudes towards sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and better management of risky behaviors.
FPFK is actively enhancing awareness and mentorship on these issues for both male and female youth, recognizing that limited understanding can impede the development of livelihood skills, particularly for young women.
The goal is to empower participants to change their attitudes and effectively manage health-related risks.
In the past weeks, the Ubunifu Youth Project carried out three transformative initiatives aimed at equipping 200 young people with vital knowledge and support:
- SRHR Awareness and Counseling: Sessions were held to raised awareness and provided counseling on sexual and reproductive
- Mentorship and Coaching: Led by an expert, an SRHR consultant, these sessions empowered the youth with essential knowledge for making informed health decisions
Results Achieved:
- Enhanced SRHR Knowledge: Target participants received training through seminars covering key topics such as drug and substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, early marriages and pregnancies, menstrual health and hygiene, and gender-based violence (GBV).
- Access to Counseling and Support: Youth facing SRHR challenges received counseling services to addressing identified mental health issues and poor physical health outcomes.
- Empowerment to Manage Risky Behaviors: Out-of-school youth were equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to manage risky behaviors, fostering healthier and more informed decision-making.
- Promoting Gender Equality and Healthy Relationships: The project facilitated networking and collaboration to promote gender equality and healthy relationships among youth.
- Improves menstrual hygiene, reduced stigma, supports gender
equality, and enhances overall health among female youth
Outcome 2
The FPFK Ubunifu project has made significant strides in empowering out-of-school youths in Turkana County through vocational training. The key achievements so far:
Training of Over 400 Youths: The project has successfully trained more than 400 out-of-school youths in key vocational skills such as dressmaking, plumbing, wiring and installation, hairdressing and mechanics.
This provides the youths with the necessary skills to create sustainable livelihoods in their communities. The training is structured through an apprenticeship model, which enables youths to gain hands-on experi- ence under the guidance of skilled mentors. This approach ensures they acquire practical knowledge in their chosen fields.
PO Alga and PFA Samuel engaging youth during SRHR awareness training program in Kainiuk Turkana County
Next step for the trained youths
Formation of Skills-Based Groups: After completing their training, the youths will be organized into skills-based groups, fostering collabora- tion and peer support. This structure also helps them pool resources and knowledge to enhance their entrepreneurial opportunities.
Creation of Business Hubs: The project supports the establishment of business hubs, where trained youths can collectively work on income-generating activities. These hubs provide them with a shared space to operate and grow their businesses, thus contributing to local economic development.
Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs): The project also helps the youths to set up Village Savings and Loan Associations, promoting financial inclusion and helping them access credit, save money, and invest in their livelihoods. VSLAs are a vital tool for economic resilience, especially in rural areas.
Targeted youths form Kainuk , Katilu and Lorgum in Turkana county engaging in short-term livelihood skill-based businesses (tailoring ) to make them resilient to the impacts of harsh climate change experienced in the county. (photo taken by David Esto)
One of the volunteers Advocating for beneficiaries to be employed as fundi in the world Bank program in Kainuk (CCCC)
One of the volunteers Advocating for beneficiaries to be employed as fundi
One of the volunteers Advocating for beneficiaries to be employed as fundi in the world Bank program in Kainuk (CCCC)
PO Alga engaging youth during SRHR awareness training program
PO Alga engaging youth during SRHR awareness training program in Kainiuk Turkana County
PFA Samuel engaging youth during SRHR awareness training program
PFA Samuel engaging youth during SRHR awareness training program in Kainiuk Turkana County
Targeted youths form Kainuk , Katilu and Lorgum in Turkana county engaging in short-term livelihood
Targeted youths form Kainuk , Katilu and Lorgum in Turkana county engaging in short-term livelihood skill-based businesses (tailoring ) to make them resilient to the impacts of harsh climate change experienced in the county. (photo taken by David Esto)
Targeted youths form Kainuk , Katilu and Lorgum in Turkana county engaging in short-term livelihood
Targeted youths form Kainuk , Katilu and Lorgum in Turkana county engaging in short-term livelihood skill-based businesses (tailoring ) to make them resilient to the impacts of harsh climate change experienced in the county. (photo taken by David Esto)
Targeted youths form Kainuk , Katilu and Lorgum in Turkana county engaging in short-term livelihood
Targeted youths form Kainuk , Katilu and Lorgum in Turkana county engaging in short-term livelihood skill-based businesses (tailoring ) to make them resilient to the impacts of harsh climate change experienced in the county. (photo taken by David Esto)
Targeted female youths form Kainuk Turkana county
Targeted female youths form Kainuk Turkana county engaging in short-term livelihood skill-based businesses
One of the volunteers Advocating for beneficiaries
One of the volunteers Advocating for beneficiaries to be employed as fundi in the world Bank program in Kainuk (CCCC)
Beneficiaries at lorughum and Katilu
Beneficiaries at lorughum and Katilu in turkana county being trained on hairdressing (photo taken by David Esto)
A facilitator during a workshop supervising
A facilitator during a workshop supervising group work at Kainuk FPFK resource center. September 2022
A project participant displaying her hand work
A-project participant-displaying-her-hand-work.-July-2022-Lodwar
A project participant making a presentation
A project participant making a presentation from her group work on life skills. The facilitator recording the presentation.
Advisory Chair Lucas
Advisory Chair Lucas Ukuwam during an a workshop at Kainuk September 2022
Digni team arriving with Vigdis at Kispsongo
Digni team arriving with Vigdis at Kispsongo Kitale February 2022
Facilitator in talent nurturing during a session
Facilitator in talent nurturing during a session at Lorugum December 2022
Liliane from Digni during a partners meeting in Karen
Liliane from Digni during a partners meeting in Karen nairobi November 2022
Lorugum youth
Lorugum youth during a talent show session December 2022
Miriam the MERL officer with a laptop during a MTR
Miriam the MERL officer with a laptop during a MTR meeting at Kapolikine
Nigel of NPM making a presentation to the NPM
Nigel of NPM making a presentation to the NPM Partners meeting as Vigdis looks on at fpfk guest house Nairobi December 2022
One of project participants joyfully demonstrating
One of project participants joyfully demonstrating how to use sewing machine to the mid term review team. July 2023, Lodwar
One of the project participants who is now employed
One of the project participants who is now employed after having completed her apprenticeship in dress making at Kainuk. June July 2022
Part of Kapolikine dress making apprenticeship
Part of Kapolikine dress making apprenticeship class attending a mid term review meeting . Project assistant Meshack in a striped Tshirt assisting in signing of the attendance sheet
Part of the Ubunifu exchange learning team
Part of the Ubunifu exchange learning team at Kakuma sounds kitchen gardens. December 2022
Project lead receiving support of sanitary towels
Project lead receiving support of sanitary towels and soap to help girls manage to sit through trainings without disruption. Nakuru June 2022.Support donated by Happy Go Ltd Nakuru.
Ubunifu during an exchange learning trip
Ubunifu during an exchange learning trip to Kakuma sounds. Where they learnt value addition skills.
The native bead making group of project participants in Kalengmrok
The native bead making group of project participants in Kalengmrok. Explaining to MERL officer their challenges which border on SGBV.
Vivian standing in red helping with interpretation
Vivian standing in red helping with interpretation during a session with native project participants. July 2022, at Kalemgmrok.