SUA Students’ Field Practical Training Journey at Youth Power Organization

Twenty (20) Bachelor in Community Development (BCD) students, along with four (4) Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness (AEA) students and six (6) Rural Development students from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), undertook their Field Practical Training (FPT) at the Youth Power Organization (YPO) from March 4th to April 5th, 2024.

The primary objective of the FPT was to equip students with practical skills relevant to their future careers, encompassing a range of fieldwork, administrative duties, and management tasks.

During the initial period from March 4th to 6th, 2024, students underwent orientation sessions where they were introduced to the YPO’s Code of Conduct, Organizational Structure, guidelines, FPT Timetable, as well as the organization’s previous and ongoing projects.

On March 8th, 2024, students actively participated in International Women’s Day activities at Mbuyuni Secondary School in Mbuyuni Ward. They distributed sanitary pads to vulnerable secondary level students and conducted empowerment sessions focusing on reproductive health, mental health, and raising awareness about gender-based violence.

From March 11th to 13th, 2024, students engaged in Project Monitoring for the recently completed project titled “Enhancing Youth Employment and Self-Employment through Fish Farming and Processing.” They developed monitoring tools and conducted visits to fish farms where youths had been recently employed in Mazimbu, Kauzeni, Mkundi, and Mlimani wards.

Between March 14th and 20th, 2024, students visited fish processors who had been supported by the project with resources such as fish frying vessels, frying materials, spices, and fresh fish. During these visits, students provided business advisory services and conducted one-on-one consultations to address challenges faced by the processors, including access to customers, proper record-keeping, and limitations in capital.