In Mugoboka, young people are discovering that the resources around them can become a source of knowledge, income and hope for the future.
In Mugoboka, in Mungwa Zone of Gitega Commune, young people are learning to look at their surroundings differently. Through the Initiative for the Promotion of Youth in Burundi (IPJBU), they are being introduced to practical skills in farming, livestock keeping and digital technology skills they can use to start small activities and gradually build more independent lives.
The idea behind the initiative is simple: young people need more than advice. They need practical knowledge, a chance to learn by doing and support as they take their first steps. IPJBU is trying to provide exactly that.
“We chose to start with young people because they are numerous and represent the future of the country,” says Reverend Pastor Dr. Gatima Edmond, head of IPJBU. “We want to help them develop their own projects, put them into practice and gradually become self-reliant.”
From waste to something useful
One of the lessons being shared in Mugoboka starts with something that is easy to overlook: organic waste.
During practical sessions, young people learn how grass, leaves, crop residues and other organic materials can be collected and turned into compost. The materials are placed in a designated area, kept moist and left to decompose naturally until they become organic manure that can be used to enrich the soil.
For the participants, the lesson goes beyond composting. It shows them that farming does not always have to start with expensive inputs. Something that seems useless can sometimes become part of the solution.
Learning by doing
The training does not stop there. IPJBU wants young people to gain practical knowledge in areas such as soil management, crop selection, intercropping, disease prevention, small-scale irrigation and livestock farming.
Rather than simply listening to lessons, participants are encouraged to put what they learn into practice. The hope is that these skills will eventually help them improve their own fields, start small agricultural projects and create sources of income.
The Internet brings another opportunity
There is another tool available at the Mugoboka site: the Internet.With a Starlink connection already in place, young people can go online to look for information, learn about new farming methods and access educational materials that may not be readily available in their community.
For IPJBU, this is an important part of the programme. Farming and technology may seem like two different worlds, but here they are being brought together. A young farmer can use the land to produce while using the Internet to learn, solve problems and discover new ideas.
Irakoze Aimable, one of the young beneficiaries, sees this access as an opportunity to keep learning. For him, the Internet can help young people go beyond what they learn during training and continue looking for knowledge on their own.
Niyongere Innocent, the leader of Mugoboka neighborhood, says the initiative is particularly useful because the training is offered free of charge.
Skills that can make a difference
For young people who have the motivation to learn but limited financial means, free access to practical training can make a real difference. The knowledge they acquire can become a starting point for developing their own activities and supporting their families.
The initiative also seeks to change how young people see farming. Agriculture is often associated with subsistence, but IPJBU wants participants to see that, with the right skills, planning and an entrepreneurial approach, farming can also become a business.
Starting in Mugoboka, looking beyond
For Reverend Pastor Dr. Gatima Edmond, Mugoboka is only the beginning. IPJBU hopes to take the experience gained here to other communities and reach more young people over time.
The goal is not to promise quick solutions, but to give young people something they can build on: practical skills, access to information and the confidence to try.
In Mugoboka, a compost pile, a farm and an Internet connection may seem like ordinary things. For the young people involved in the programme, however, they represent something bigger a chance to learn, create and build their own opportunities.
Dieudonné HAVUGIYAREMYE