Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders

The Mission and Vision of TopowaYouth Mentoring Uganda , our Smashed Global Delivery Partner in Uganda

In the heart of Uganda, a beacon of hope shines bright for the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow. Topowa Youth Mentoring Uganda (TYMU), an organisation dedicated to guiding and empowering young minds, is making waves with its inspiring mission, impactful projects, and ambitious plans for the future.

Mission: Nurturing Potential, Igniting Change

Founded in 2017, Topowa Youth Mentoring Uganda is committed to advance mentorship and training to young people in Uganda with skills, information and tools that can guide and prepare them for responsible adulthood.

“We believe in the potential of young people, so we primarily invest in helping them to find positive motivation, mentorship, adequate training, tools, and assistance that can help them to live a responsible youthhood and accomplish their dreams. Our work is built on the principles of Youth being problem solvers and changemakers, our overall goal is to make sure that we develop programs that promote Health, Wellbeing & Wellness, Creative Thinking, and support the youth to fulfil their dreams” – Sulaiman Katongole, Creative Director at TYMU.

In pursuit of this vision, TYMU have reached over 476,000 young people with messaging promoting responsible living behaviour.

Projects: Transforming Communities One Step at a Time

Besides being a successful delivery partner of Smashed Global Project in Uganda, TYMU implements a variety of projects aimed at addressing the diverse needs of young people across Uganda. From educational initiatives to entrepreneurship programs, each project is designed to foster holistic development and create opportunities for youth to thrive.

One of the organisation's flagship projects is The Mentorship Program, which provides mentorship, life skills training, and career guidance to young people who need someone to help them identify their way and work towards achieving their dreams. This program helps young people to find mentors through the structures of school clubs, school visits, and special programs for mentoring boys and girls on behavioural change, personal skills, and values.

Smashed is a global alcohol education program developed by Collingwood Learning and delivered in 38 countries around the world. Topowa Youth travels across Uganda, spreading awareness and empowering students to make informed choices. In 2023, team reached out to over 32,000 young people, and 77% of them felt that they were less likely to drink alcohol underage, having completed Smashed. Find out more about Smashed Live in Uganda Here

The Beera Steady Program is aimed to engage young people out of school in the fight against HIV/AIDS directly by encouraging them to test, know their status, and join the global fight to end HIV in Uganda by 2030.?Program includes community activities like football matches, music events, and free HIV testing and counselling that specifically target young people in slums in Uganda. In 2023, TYMU held 4 community events reaching over 1000 young people with these services.?

The Mental Health Program is a quarterly “Tea and Talk” Event with professional mental health experts. The goal of the campaign is to provide information and help young people affected by challenges related to mental health.

The High School Career Expo?inspires students to think beyond conventional career paths and embrace innovation as they prepare for their futures. With technology rapidly transforming industries, the need for creative thinkers and problem-solvers has never been more critical. Through interactive workshops, Panel Discussions, engaging presentations, and hands-on activities, students are encouraged to explore emerging trends and envision themselves as future innovators.?Through this program, participants gain valuable insights into various career paths, develop essential skills for personal and professional growth, and become a part of strong support network.

Plans for the Future: Expanding Horizons, Amplifying Impact

Looking ahead, Topowa Youth Mentoring Uganda has ambitious plans for the future. With a focus on scalability and sustainability, the organisation aims to expand its reach and deepen its impact in communities across Uganda.

"We envision a future where every young person has access to quality education, mentorship, and opportunities for personal and professional growth."

“In 2024-2025, we are planning to extend Smashed Global to remote areas of Uganda and hold further workshops with teachers in schools who had Smashed Live experience to follow up on the impact of the program. To increase the sustainability and inclusivity, we are going to: test and sample our online data collection kit using tablets electronically to reduce the paper-based method; create measures that enable young people with disabilities to also engage with the program. We are keen to reach more young people and work towards Smashed Global Goal to reach 10 million young people by 2030” - Sulaiman Katongole.

Here at Collingwood Learning, we believe in power of education to transform lives. We embrace the resilience, dedication, and passion of Topowa Youth Mentoring Uganda. Together, we inspire positive change, empower young minds, and foster a culture of responsibility and resistance regarding underage alcohol consumption.

Join us in celebrating this incredible collaboration and let's make a positive impact together!

More about Smashed Live here

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