A TOTAL of 104 youth in Mvomero District, Morogoro Region have been empowered to become self-employed and generate income by launching businesses, including fish shops, fish farming ponds and restaurants.

The youth, both male and female, were at risk of engaging in harmful activities due to a lack of productive engagements.

Their transformation was made possible through the Youth Power Organisation (YPO) in collaboration with the Skills for Employment Tanzania (SET) project, implemented by Swisscontact Tanzania.

Charles Makongo, YPO executive director made the remarks over the weekend here  during the closure of the project funded by the Swiss Embassy in Tanzania through the Fish Farming and Entrepreneurship Project.

The project commenced in March and provided 170 young individuals with 32 days of training, which included assessments to identify those best suited for entrepreneurship.

Director Makongo highlighted the dedication and discipline exhibited by the 104 young traders stating: “We have successfully empowered young people to own their fish ponds and engage in commercial fish farming. Some have opened fish shops and are already earning income; others are frying fish and chicken or running restaurants.”

Masunga Isumbi, information and communication officer at Swisscontact Tanzania emphasized that the SET project specifically targets both young men and women who have faced challenges such as teenage pregnancies, particularly those aged 15 to 24 in the Morogoro Region.

He said the initiative has partnered with 13 local institutions to reach its beneficiaries.

Isumbi said the empowerment initiative not only enhances the livelihoods of the participants but also fosters community development and economic growth in the region.

Mohamed Said Abdallah, one of the project’s beneficiaries, shared how the initiative helped him establish a fish farming pond, earning him respect within his community.

“Previously, we were viewed as idle youths, often associated with negative behaviours. Now, I feel valued,” he said.

Neema James, another beneficiary, expressed her gratitude for the project, stating that it enabled her to open a restaurant specializing in fish and chicken dishes, generating a daily income that supports her livelihood.

“This has transformed my life from idleness to productive engagement,” she said.

As the project concludes, Teacher Linno Mwageni, Executive Director of the Mvomero District Council, assured participants that they would continue to receive support, including opportunities to establish fish hatchery clusters and access to free seedlings of oil palm, cloves and cocoa.