20 young mothers gain essential skills in commercial chicken rearing, financial literacy, and business development to kickstart poultry farming in Morogoro, Tanzania, with an anticipated 80% achieving economic independence.

Local Solution
20 young mothers embark on commercial poultry farming, which includes brooding chicks for continuous rearing and sale, brooding chicks, producing chicken feed, raising chickens for meat and egg production, and selling manure.

This initiative is crucial for the young mothers aged 15-24, who are currently facing significant economic challenges that hinder their development. Many of these women work in low-paying, informal jobs, leading to financial instability and struggles to meet their families’ daily needs, such as children’s education and healthcare. This economic vulnerability creates a cycle of poverty, limits opportunities for personal and professional growth. Additionally, limited access to vocational training exacerbates these hardships. Gender discrimination adds to their struggles, as young mothers are often stigmatised and excluded from educational and economic opportunities, further marginalising them in society and obstructing progress towards gender equality.

Participants will receive training over six months in essential areas such as breed selection, disease control, brooding, rearing, feed production, market access, and business planning. The training emphasises active engagement and hands-on learning, fostering community ownership and support while equipping women with practical skills. As a group, the participants will receive a starter kit, including chicks, feed, vitamins, and feeding equipment to help them launch their businesses. Young Strong Mothers Foundation (YSMF) will provide land for the poultry structure and facilitate exchange visits for the women to learn from established poultry farms. They will also closely monitor the performance of the business for 6 months during the practical implementation of the project to ensure that the women can operate successfully on their own.

Through the VIKOBA (Village Community Bank) initiative, the women will enhance community savings and access to loans for business expansion or other financial needs. A portion of the profits will support ongoing cohorts. We aspire to empower 20 young mothers each subsequent year.

YSMF has over a decade of experience working with young mothers in Morogoro and Tabora. They are dedicated to devising effective solutions for these women, helping them navigate challenges related to economic hardship, education, and gender discrimination. Additionally, YSMF has trained five members at Vonkavy Agro Company, specialising in poultry farming, which enhances their capacity to support young mothers in establishing sustainable poultry businesses.

Lives Improved
By acquiring essential skills for sustainable commercial poultry farming, the 20 women are set to achieve financial freedom. At least 80% of participants will secure a consistent income through their poultry businesses, enabling them to meet urgent family necessities such as food, healthcare, and education for their children. This improved financial situation directly benefits 40 children.

With their new skills, the young mothers will experience enhanced self-esteem and foster supportive community networks, ultimately transforming their social dynamics.

Community Impact
In just 12 months, the 20 women are expected to share their newly acquired skills with at least 5 others each, impacting an additional 100 women. The success of poultry farming will lead to job creation, thereby strengthening the local economy. By empowering young mothers to take on leadership roles, the project promotes gender equality and changes social perceptions towards a more equitable community.

This project contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG1) – No Poverty, by providing income-raising opportunities.

Budget
The total budget for the project is TSh32,337,895 (or € 10,672). Funds will be allocated as follows:

●      Infrastructure, training materials, and equipment

●      Procurement of chicks, feeds, and medications

●      Capacity building through training and mentorship

●      Administrative costs including security and communication

●      5% to iMPACT direct for facilitating direct donations to local solutions (which helps to cover costs of the website, promotion and proposal writing, costs of financial services, and the support to NGOs).

Own Contribution: YSMF will contribute land, trained staff, and volunteer hours for project oversight, adding considerable value to the initiative.

Testimonial

“Launching FugaMax in 2023 transformed my life. As a single mother, the income from raising chickens, goats, and cattle has allowed me to support my daughter’s nursing studies at the University of Dodoma without financial worry.

FugaMax has empowered me to create job opportunities for other young mothers, showing them that financial independence is achievable. I am passionate about the WINGS project, which helps young mothers gain the opportunities I’ve found. I’m grateful for the chance to uplift my community through my journey with FugaMax.” Jackie, CEO YSMF