In 2020, Mr. Okwir, who lived in northern Uganda, went through a heartbreaking time. His sister suddenly passed away, leaving behind his young nephew, Odongo, who was suffering from malnutrition. As he took care of Odongo, Mr. Okwir realized that many children in northern Uganda were also struggling with a lack of proper nutrition. In fact, about 69,025 children die from malnutrition every year in the Lango and Karamoja regions.

"When my sister passed away suddenly, and I almost lost my nephew too, it was a painful experience. Seeing children in Uganda pass away from malnutrition before they can even dream made me want to help protect their dreams."

"Every day, I worried about what to feed my nephew. Then one day, I noticed various crops like corn, soybeans, and sesame lying unused on the ground. That's when an idea struck me, I could use these resources! Corn, in particular, is rich in vitamins and iron, which are essential for children's health. So, I started to wonder why these crops were being wasted and why farmers weren’t growing them more often."

Mr. Okwir talked to many people and learned that farmers lacked knowledge about growing a variety of crops and struggled to get quality seeds due to their high prices. As a result, they mainly relied on a few crops grown in their backyards, leaving crops like corn poorly managed and eventually wasted. This meant children weren't getting enough nutritious food, leading to malnutrition.

"My mother and I saw a chance to make a difference. We believed that to solve the problem of children’s malnutrition, farmers first needed to thrive. By providing seeds and training to farmers, we thought we could help feed more children. So, I decided to support farmers in creating nutritious flour for children. That’s how 'Youth For Life Tree Planting (YFL)' was started."

YFL produces flour for children using grains grown in northern Uganda. They help farmers access seeds easily, farm more steadily, and make a sustainable living.

YFL cooperates with universities and research institutions to help farmers access seeds more easily. Farmers receive high-quality seeds from trusted institutions, plant and harvest them, and increase the quantity of seeds available. These seeds are then shared with farmers through a village seed bank program. Farmers receive 5kg of corn and soybean seeds, grow their crops, and return harvested seeds to the bank after a certain period, proving the sustainability of the system.

In this way, YFL supports over 300 farmers, helping them continue farming and work with a sense of responsibility. This program doesn’t just provide seeds, it empowers farmers to become self-sustainable. Farmers can maintain a sustainable livelihood, positively impacting the local economy. Through its village seed bank, YFL is lighting the way for the future of agriculture and playing an important role in the development of local communities.

YFL also teaches farmers sustainable farming methods. They learn specialized techniques for dealing with climate change and effective harvesting methods, helping them adapt well to different conditions. After training, YFL stays in touch to make sure farmers are applying what they've learned.

Through this process, farmers can maintain a stable livelihood. They also protect the environment with sustainable farming practices, using eco-friendly fertilizers instead of chemicals to keep the soil's ecosystem healthy. Over 7,500 people in northern Uganda are working together to provide nutritious flour for children, making a real difference for future generations.

"Thanks to the hard work and love of the farmers and me, Odongo is now a healthy little boy, and next year he’ll be ready to start kindergarten with his friends. What began as a commitment to my nephew has grown into Youth For Life Tree Planting, now my future and a symbol of hope for children’s health. "

Mr. Okwir is dedicated to continuing his work with farmers to support children’s health. Watching his nephew grow up healthy and happy, he dreams of many children in northern Uganda growing up with love and proper nutrition. Please support Mr. Okwir and Youth For Life Tree Planting as they help the young seeds of northern Uganda grow strong!