Ubunifu Youth Project
Ubunifu Youth Project
The Ubunifu Youth Project (UYP) aims to align with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda’s commitment to “Leave no one behind.” In Turkana County, many youths aged 16 to 30 who have dropped out of school are overlooked by both non-state actors and local government, resulting in their exclusion from development plans. This neglect has led to significant disadvantages in income, life expectancy, and educational attainment, increasing their vulnerability to climate change impacts such as drought, violence, and economic shocks.
FPFK believes that these excluded, out-of-school youths must be empowered as full and equal agents of sustainable development. This empowerment involves imparting vital livelihood skills and fostering economic growth by building on their inherent strengths and talents. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure their meaningful participation in decision-making processes and establish safe, inclusive mechanisms for civic engagement. FPFK asserts that the governance environment must be friendly, inclusive, and responsive to their needs, as sustainable development is only achievable when all segments of society are integrated into mainstream development processes.
FPFK is launching the Ubunifu Project across the vibrant sub-counties of Aroo, Turkana Central, and Loima. This initiative focuses on the communities of Lorugum, Nabuin, Lodwar, Lokichar, Kalemngorok, Kainuk, and Katilu. With a commitment to fostering innovation and sustainable development, the project aims to empower local residents and enhance their quality of life.
Beneficiaries at lorughum and Katilu in turkana county being trained on hairdressing (photo taken by David Esto)
Project Impact
Through FPFK’s initiatives and partnerships, excluded out-of-school youths are becoming more resilient to the impacts of climate change. They are experiencing behavioral changes, discovering new livelihood sources, and gaining inclusion in development processes facilitated by relevant stakeholders in Turkana County.
Project Outcomes
Outcome 1:
Targeted excluded out-of-school youths exhibit more positive attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health rights and demonstrate improved management of risky behaviors.
FPFK is enhancing awareness and providing mentorship on sexual and reproductive health rights to both male and female participants. Our experience indicates that limited understanding of sexual and reproductive issues hinders the acquisition of livelihood skills, particularly among targeted female youths. This outcome aims to foster a shift in attitudes regarding sexual rights, empowering participants to better manage associated risks.
PO Alga and PFA Samuel engaging youth during SRHR awareness training program in Kainiuk Turkana County
Outcome 2:
Targeted excluded out-of-school youths in Turkana County develop livelihoods that are resilient to the impacts of climate change, particularly drought.
Recognizing that climate change significantly contributes to the vulnerability of project participants, FPFK has designed its livelihood interventions to enhance resilience. We aim to provide vocational training for approximately 500 vulnerable out-of-school youths in skills such as dressmaking, tailoring, plumbing, electrical wiring, mechanics, welding, masonry, and hairdressing. These skills are being delivered through a successful apprenticeship program. After training, participants will be organized into skills-based groups and supported in forming business hubs and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). By diversifying their skills, these youths will reduce their reliance on pastoralism and agriculture, both of which are heavily impacted by drought and water scarcity.
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)
Outcome 3:
Targeted project participants advocate for the recognition and inclusion of excluded out-of-school youths in development processes by key stakeholders in Turkana County.
FPFK is amplifying the voices of project participants, empowering them to advocate for the review, formulation, and implementation of youth-friendly programs and policies within the county. This will strengthen the systems and policies needed to address the vulnerabilities of affected youths. Additionally, we aim to shift the attitudes and behaviors of duty bearers toward a more responsive approach to the challenges faced by the most marginalized out-of-school youths. Stakeholders are educated on the disproportionate negative impacts of climate change on unskilled and uneducated young people in the county.
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.