The Youth-Parliament goes On Air and new Savings Groups

The year 2025 has started well for the Saboba Youth Center. The first quarter of the year is usually a little quieter, as the VSLA savings groups, for example, have aligned their annual cycle with the agricultural calendar. Disbursements are therefore made shortly after the start of the rainy season, around June, so that the proceeds can be used for seed, for example. It is also good if the common fund is well filled in the last few months of the dry season, as some families otherwise run out of food in the last few months before the harvest. The Green My Community project also concentrates its work on the rainy season, as this is the best time to plant the seedlings.

Nevertheless, the SYC volunteers were out and about a lot during this time and founded two new VSLA groups in the village of Kiteek and in a church community in Saboba. They also visited existing groups in at least eight villages and looked for suitable land for the next tree plantations.

However, the dry season is better suited to the children's and youth parliaments, as there is less work in the fields and there is no risk of a debate having to be canceled due to heavy rainfall. In May, for example, there was a debate on the question “Should the Saboba Youth Centre prioritize advocating vocational skills training and entrepreneurship support as a primary strategy to combat youth unemployment?”. The debate was broadcast live on the radio!

In June and July, activities around the VSLA groups intensified and most of them have now completed their annual “share out”, the payment at the end of the annual cycle, and are starting a new year. Almost 5000 new seedlings have been grown for the Green My Community project in recent months, which can now be planted!