How would you describe your youth organisation?
SYTI is the first of its kind south of sub Saharan Africa. SYTI now operating in Uganda helps young people realise their unique potential and contribution capacity. It's very unique and it has gained ground and support from many people. Young people are happy to be associated with SYTI its very youth friendly.
How does your organisation help young people?
SYTI offers support through offering socio-psyco support, financial, career guidance, exposure to potential people, talent promotion and many other activities. We bring in talented young people to encourage others, motivational speakers to offer encouragement and psycho support. We give funds to talented young people to boost their talents and give them exposure to potential talent developers and supporters. We do this through collaboration with other projects.
How many young people do you help?
We are currently helping over 110,000 young people especially in northern Uganda which ha been affected by war for over 20 years. We estimate that by 2010, SYTI may be helping 200000 young people all over Uganda and east Africa.
How big is your organisation?
It started as a small organisation founded by Henry Mutebe and Apil Jennifer but it has been growing over time. We have extended and intensified our operations especially in northern Uganda. We have written a concept paper on a new project under SYTI which will help young people in the next few years. We are in touch with British high commission to work out its feasibility and welcome all young people who would like to encourage other young people in Uganda to join the band wagon.
What types of young people do you work with?
We work or help people aged between five and 24 years of age. That's our target.
When was your organisation set up?
It was started in 2006.
Why was it set up?
To help young people realise their unique contribution capacity. There is a lot of talent in Uganda but few organisations have come up to help. Some of these children especially in areas affected by war had given up on talent. They were living hopeless lives. SYTI came therefore to revive the spirit of talent and hope amongst young people for a better and fulfilled life
What have been the highlights and the achievements of the organisation so far?
We have been able to help over 110,000 young people. There is information sharing now present. We have also lobbied for support from many organisations and the response has been encouraging and we are still expanding. Young people have given us very good feedback
What are the plans for the organisation this year?
Expanding our outreach is the main target.
How can young people get in touch with your organisation?
We encourage all young people to join us. They can do this through deciding to volunteer with our project, doing for us some work like website designing, program design, voluntary activities here in Uganda and also advising other young people.
You can visit our website by going to:
www.freetocharities.org.uk/syti
To read the founder of SYTI's weekly blog go to:
http://www.talentedyoungpeople.com/blogs/henry-mutebe/
