The Mbale Youth Group pose with some of the products they sell at the Youth Centre at TASO, Mbale City
The Mbale Youth IGA Booster Group is proving that empowered people can indeed empower others. Comprised of members who are part of the Young People and Adolescent Peer Supporters (YAPS) network, these youth have taken on a mission to uplift their peers.
The team was identified by The Aids Support Organisation (TASO) to inspire and provide specialized therapy, counselling, and psychosocial support to youths living with HIV. They are based at the TASO station inside the Mbale Regional Hospital. But their impact doesn’t stop there, they also share vital skills to show that living positively should not be a disability.
Recognizing the importance of equipping these youth with multiple skills, the USAID-funded Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) North East Activity implemented by the Uganda Women’s Effort Save Orphans (UWESO) stepped in. The Activity’s Community-Based Trainers empowered the group with training in liquid soap making and bakery. Embracing the idea of leading by example, the group requested additional support from the Activity in the form of an Income Generating Activity (IGA) Booster to start up a viable side business.
With this support, the group strategically divided their efforts, each member focusing on a product essential for the hospital setting. They produce liquid soap and Jik for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) purposes, as well as Snacks and drinks: daddies, roasted ground nuts, and fermented millet drinks for clients seeking a quick bite. Their primary customers include hospital clients, youth visiting the Youth Corner, and students from Busitema University, which operates within TASO.
Their dedication and reliability have earned them the position of sole liquid soap supplier for most public hospitals in the area. The IGA serves as a side income for the youth, complementing their primary roles as YAPS. To stand out in the market, they have branded their products and expanded their reach by establishing a WhatsApp business channel to connect with more customers, especially their peers.
A member of the Mbale Youth Group demonstrating to the Activity Mbale District Program Coordinator how they use smartphones to market their products
“This has put us in a position to mentor other youth since we received the empowerment first and are living testimonies that this works,” says Clara, the group’s secretary.
Looking to the future, the group is working towards registering their enterprise with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to gain more credibility, a step that presents challenges but also promises greater opportunities. The Mbale Youth IGA Booster Group is a powerful example of how skills, support, and a strong sense of purpose can turn young people into agents of change and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
