Dear Friend,
As 2016 comes to a close, I am truly amazed and humbled by the great work we are accomplishing together. We have spent the last 15 years working to empower youth and women living in the developing world and low-income communities by providing them with the technology to achieve life-changing results in education and entrepreneurship.
- With your support, YTF doubled our investment in monitoring and evaluation for impact. We know that a major threat for economic development and global stability, particularly in Africa, is the mismatch between skills demanded by the private sector and those that the workforce can supply. A 2014 study by PWC stated that 96 percent of CEOs in Africa, compared to a global average of 63 percent, are concerned about the lack of skills. YTF Academy is designed to bridge that gap. We are especially proud to share Deborah’s experience as an intern while enrolled in YTF Academy. In 2017, we plan to unveil our recommended solutions on the skills gap conundrum to address youth unemployment. You’ll want to stay tuned.
- With your support, YTF continued to develop programs in partnership with private sector companies that invest in the success and sustainability of women-owned small businesses. This work wouldn’t be complete without providing entrepreneurial education in the form of business skills, technology acumen and financial literacy alongside mentoring and networking. Afoma, one of our program participants, introduced e-payments into her business, “Hair Wizard and Spa.” She now employs over 30 people in her business and is a role model for other young women and aspiring entrepreneurs in her community.
- With your support, YTF test-launched 3D Printing Academy for Girls in Kentucky, with hopes of fully expanding the program in the U.S. market in 2017. In West Louisville, where YTF’s offices are located, the likelihood of youth participation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields is lower than other students enrolled in area public schools.
- With your support, YTF made a Commitment to Action at the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting in New York this September. Our commitment is around education and entrepreneurship, specifically using technology for at-risk girls in Nigeria. You can learn more about the exciting commitment in the press release here. (Plus see the photo below!)
Your support makes it possible for YTF to continue to transform lives, every day. Please consider making your year-end gift today. Every gift is one step closer to helping us make the most impact in countries where we work.
On behalf of everyone here at YTF and the youth and women who are at the center of our work, I wish you and your family a prosperous and peaceful new year.
To Impact,
