From Two Pigs to More Than 500 Birds

A journey of opportunity and determination

At 19, Amandu Geoffrey a native of Ogu ruku Cell in Inde Town council, is showing what can happen when young people gain access to the right information, practical mentorship and financial opportunities. His journey has taken him from participating in a sexual and reproductive health group to running a poultry enterprise with more than 500 birds and sharing his skills with other young people.

Building knowledge and a culture of saving

Geoffrey’s journey began in June 2024 when he joined the Naguru Teenage Centre Sexual and Reproductive Health group under the SHE SOARS Project. Through the youth-friendly group sessions, he was able to attain information on his Sexual and reproductive health that in turn enabled him to build confidence and a stronger sense of personal responsibility. In December 2024, he joined a Youth Savings and Loan Association (YSLA). The group helped him develop a consistent saving habit and gave him access to capital to start investing in an incomegenerating activity.

Turning two pigs into business capital

With a clear interest in livestock farming, Geoffrey borrowed UGX 150,000 from his YSLA and bought two pigs. He cared for them until they reproduced, then sold the piglets. Instead of spending the proceeds, he reinvested the money in poultry farming. With Poultry, Geoffrey began with 50 chicks. By carefully managing each production cycle and reinvesting the proceeds from sales, he grew the flock to 100 birds and continued expanding. Today, his enterprise has more than 500 birds housed in three locally constructed poultry structures.

Passing the skills forward

Geoffrey’s progress has made him a valuable resource within his community. Through NTC’s group-skilling work, he has trained 30 other young people in practical poultry management. The sessions have equipped his peers with basic skills they can use to start and manage their own income-generating activities. Geoffrey now plans to modernize his poultry houses, expand his flock, improve profitability and create more employment and training opportunities for young people in his community.

“My dream is to continue expanding and modernising my farm when I get more resources. I also want to create more employment and training opportunities for my fellow young people.”

A young person creating change

Geoffrey’s story demonstrates how access to health information, mentorship, savings structures and practical livelihood opportunities can help young people turn small beginnings into sustainable enterprises. He is not only building a livelihood for himself; he is also helping other young people develop the confidence and skills to pursue their own opportunities.

By:

Adomati Richard - Project officer