It has been noted that the rise in youth facing challenging circumstances within our society is attributed to some parents and guardians with low incomes, consequently failing to adequately nurture their youth due to their fixed mindsets of living in poverty. Meanwhile, these youth possess significant potential to uplift their families economically through rural land resources they have access to.
Upon examining the origins of youth facing hardships, it becomes evident that it stems from within families, primarily due to families losing hope and considering enduring poverty as their family's fate, even though they own fertile land suitable for farming, which is unjust.
Naturally, land holds more value than any other asset, as it allows for significant and rapid development compared to having money without land.
"Recognize that money isn't everything, although land surpasses money because even the wealthy must seek out landowners to engage in agricultural or investment activities. Therefore, despite having ample money, it's essential to seek out someone with land, as land is an invaluable asset. There's no reason for youth from families with land to live in poverty, especially in times when the value of land is increasing," expressed Alfayo Mwalongo, a student in entrepreneurship and practical skills, and a trainer in entrepreneurship and practical skills from Iringa University, during the 10-day entrepreneurship training for 140 youth from villages within Mdabulo, Ihanu, and Luhunga wards in Mufindi district, Iringa region, sponsored by the Youth Agency Mufindi (YAM) project.
He highlighted that these youth come from over 15 villages within these three wards, and through the training sessions, they will become catalysts for other youth and families to not lose hope in life due to economic hardships.
Mwalongo emphasized that Mufindi district boasts a robust economy compared to some districts in the country, given the commercial crops grown in the land of Mufindi district serve as a unique opportunity for citizens to overcome economic challenges if utilized effectively.
However, he noted that for the youth involved in the YAM project, many of whom showed despair in life due to the poor economic situation in their families, the training sessions will empower them to seize opportunities surrounding land, setting them apart from their peers who haven't benefited from the project. These sessions will enable them to capitalize on the land resources around them.
He observed that many youths have been losing hope in life due to the challenges they face, feeling they lack financial capital to sustain themselves, forgetting that money isn't the only capital; land is a reliable asset in life.
Therefore, through these training sessions, they will identify the numerous opportunities around them and learn how to exploit them for economic success, while also shedding fixed mindsets and embracing positive ones to foster self-reliance.
"These training sessions have equipped them to recognize the vast opportunities around them, which they initially couldn't discern, as they've been empowered to identify their assets and how to acquire them from the environment around them. Through these sessions, they will become catalysts within their families," Mwalongo remarked.
He underscored the significant assistance the YAM project has been to these youth, who have always lived amidst opportunities while their lives continue to be impoverished, despite being surrounded by opportunities.
Therefore, he urged society to refrain from demoralizing youth due to their parents' poverty, as poverty is a contagious ailment that can afflict entire families. It's unnecessary for one to be born into poverty as a reason for everyone in the family to be impoverished. By utilizing the available land opportunities, one can rise from a poor family to great wealth.
Edina Mwagala, a resident of Ikanga Village in Mdabulo ward, is one of the beneficiaries of these training sessions. She reflected that when she was selected to participate in these free training sessions, she never imagined she would gain such a broad perspective and dream of embarking on a journey to economic empowerment through the opportunities around her
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