At YTF, we work relentlessly to help the world’s most disadvantaged people embrace innovation and technology to better their lives. To accomplish this in Uganda, we’ve set our sights on urban farming and mobile technology.
In the slum areas of Kireka and Katanga where YTF Uganda operates, most people live in extreme poverty. Many have migrated from rural areas in search for better opportunities. However, rural families often come with almost nothing and find it hard to find jobs, housing, and food.
As urban poverty grows among families in Uganda, so does urban hunger. Those who do not have access to growing food must buy it, a necessity many families often can’t afford.
That’s where urban farming comes in. Urban farming in developing countries provides extra food production that combats hunger and malnutrition. Agriculture also serves as an important source of livelihood for the families involved.
At YTF, we always seek ways to harness technology for bigger impact. So last July, in collaboration with USASO, we provided urban farming practice and ICT training to 86 women in Kireka and Katanga, including 52 girls 25 years old or younger.
Farming practices training, led by the USASO staff, demonstrated how to grow vegetables in a small space utilizing polythene bags.
To supplement the farming training, we taught the women to use mobile phones to search for relevant information, which will prove critical to practicing efficient farming.
We also provided basic digital literacy training to the women and helped them connect with the rest of the world via social media. Most have gone their entire life without access to computers, and we were humbled to see their excitement and enthusiasm.
According to UN, between now and 2030 nearly all population growth will come from urban areas of developing nations. The level of urban poverty across the globe, currently estimated at 30 percent, is predicted to jump by another 20 percent in just the next five years. We are confident that our training helped make a dent in lessening urban hunger and poverty in Kreka and Katanga, and as a organization, we will continue to innovate to provide the training and resources needed in the years to come.
