Youth Camp Empowers Karamoja’s Next Generation with Vital Skills
January 28, 2025 – Mill Hill Missionaries Kotido Diocese, in partnership with Organic Impact Ltd, organized a transformative youth empowerment camp to equip young people with practical skills in climate-smart agriculture, hygiene and economic self-reliance. Organic Impact Ltd is a non-profit organization that mobilizes communities to sustainably improve incomes, food production and health using available resources.
The camp was held from January 20 to 25, 2025, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Loyoro Catholic Parish in Kaabong District and was organized under the Women and Youth Empowerment Project (WYEP) of Mill Hill Missionaries Kotido Diocese.
Addressing challenges in Karamoja
Karamoja, known for its semi-arid conditions and insecurity, faces numerous challenges, including food insecurity, poverty, hygiene-related diseases, and cattle rustling. These problems are particularly severe in the northeastern part of Karamoja, where Loyoro is located.
In response, the camp provided practical training in climate-smart farming, hygiene promotion and economic empowerment, while fostering spiritual and social development.
Participation and representation
A total of 87 youths aged 14 to 28 attended the six-day youth camp. Additionally, 15 adults participated in the first two days, which focused on climate-smart farming. Participants came from five sub-parishes under Sacred Heart of Jesus Loyoro Catholic Parish: Kopoth, Locherep, Lochom, Lokanayona, and Toroi.
Climate-smart agriculture training
The climate-smart farming sessions were led by Mr. Obin Bernard Eriya, Kotido District Agricultural Officer and an expert in sustainable arid-land farming solutions. Mr. Obin has successfully greened a two-acre arid plot near Kotido town, growing vegetables and fruits using low-tech soil and water conservation methods.
During the sessions, participants learned water harvesting and conservation techniques, conservation agriculture, and sack gardening; with hands-on activities like digging zai pits, retention ditches, making liquid organic fertilizer and mulching.
Promoting hygiene, sanitation and menstrual health
The camp also focused on hygiene and sanitation, addressing key issues such as combating open defecation, promoting personal and home cleanliness, and menstrual hygiene management. A key highlight was boys and girls working together to make reusable sanitary pads, fostering teamwork while reducing menstrual stigma. More than 30 reusable pads were produced, offering a sustainable solution for youths unable to afford commercial pads. Participants created songs and skits to campaign against open defecation, reinforcing key lessons in an engaging manner.
Spiritual and social growth
Beyond practical skills, the camp provided spiritual nourishment and social bonding activities. Spiritual activities, including daily Mass and discussions on vocations, helped participants deepen their faith. Sports, songs and drama sessions promoted social bonding and teamwork, with participants creating songs and skits to campaign against open defecation.
Key outcomes
The camp yielded significant immediate outcomes. Participants acquired practical skills in climate-smart farming, producing organic farming inputs, and crafting reusable sanitary pads. More than 30 reusable pads were produced, offering a sustainable solution for youths unable to afford commercial pads. Soil and water conservation structures, such as water retention ditches and zai pits, were established at the Parish as demonstration models for sustainable agriculture. In addition, the parish has pledged to provide maize and bean seeds to youths who dig their own zai pits upon returning home. Zai pits are renowned for conserving water and enabling crops to thrive in areas with very little rainfall.
Commitment to community change
Participants greatly appreciated the camp and pledged to apply their new knowledge and skills to improve their lives. “I am full of knowledge and skills as a result of this youth camp. Let’s go out and practice what we’ve learned. Let’s show that we were at the youth camp,” said Peter Kubal, a youth leader.
Inspired by the training, youths committed to sharing their knowledge within their communities. For example, youths from Lochom sub-parish presented their learnings to their church congregation on January 26.
Additionally, participants composed five advocacy songs and skits to promote hygiene and sanitation. These creative outputs, along with their practical skills, will inspire positive change in their communities.
A future of resilience and self-reliance
As Fr. Mark Owor, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart of Jesus Loyoro Catholic Parish, explained, the youth camp emphasized smart approaches in agriculture, hygiene, sanitation and spirituality, equipping young people to transform their lives and uplift their communities.
“By applying and sharing what they learned, these young leaders are paving the way for a more resilient, healthier and self-reliant future in Karamoja,” he said.