Mr Tebandeke and the Mr Rugambwa the CEO ,excited by a good performance by farm school students.
RAKAI. Mr Richard Tebandeke, the new Rakai District deputy chief administrative officer, has tasked various community development officers and agricultural extension workers in the district to keep in the touch with the Kitivu Mobile Farm School trainees who are richly skilled in modern farming and use them to educate fellow farmers.
He said many youths don’t get a chance to go to the farm school, yet they need skills to propel development in their communities and boost their household incomes.
Mr Tebandeke who was the chief guest at the graduation and handover ceremony of farm school trainees from Lwamagwa and Byakabanda Sub- Counties October 25, was forced to suggest so, after getting overwhelmed by the skills the trainees had acquired in sustainable modern farming and craft work, which the trainees showcased during the exhibition.
“I want in the first place to appeal to you, the trainees to extend such knowledge to your friends who have not had a chance to be trained. I therefore request the community development officers and agriculture extension workers to coordinate with these people because they have fresh ideas” Mr Tebandeke appealed
He said although government also roll out similar programmes to develop and skill the youth, they are usually poorly managed . “But partners like Kitovu Mobile” he said, have come up to walk the talk and “I want to thank you for this great work you are doing ”
He said youth are an important human resource who shouldn’t be ignored since they comprise nearly 80 percent of Uganda’s population. “Youthful years are very challenging years and if we don’t guide the young people well, they end up getting spoiled in form of drug abuse, contracting HIV.” He added
While at the farm school, students who are usually Primary Seven dropouts are taken through life skills and how to fight HIV/AIDS, as well as giving them counseling skills.
Ms Goreth Nakayiwa , coordinator Kitovu Farm School was happy to note that none of their trainees contracted HIV/Aids during the training period .
“We enrolled them when they were negative and for all the three and four years we have been with them, equipping them with modern farming practices,” She said
Mr Tebandeke tasked the trainees to sustain their savings groups , saying government can only support them when they work as a group.
“Remain united in your different groups because government doesn’t support individuals. It is good you are still in youthful stage and you are eligible for Youth Livelihood Programme funds ,” Mr Tebandeke said, adding “We know your plans don’t contradict with those of government and thus we are ready to work with you.”
A graduand recieving a reward (goat) for braving difficulties and finish up the course as well as making good use of the skills to transform his community