Nyiragongo: Youth in ADED’s Empowerment Program Carry Out Harvests in Learning Fields

In a context where unemployment and the lack of opportunities heavily affect young people in North Kivu, Appui au Développement de l’Enfant en Détresse (ADED) is providing a practical response through its youth empowerment program. Through its Agricultural Learning Center (CAA) in Nyiragongo, the organization has trained young people from the Nyiragongo territory in climate-smart agricultural techniques and modern agroecological practices. This initiative aims to transform agriculture into a genuine source of income and self-reliance for young people while promoting environmentally friendly farming practices. For many participants, this training represented their first experience in agriculture. Most of them had little or no prior knowledge of farming techniques or of the opportunities that agriculture offers as a pathway to personal and community development. This stage marks the completion of the first phase of the program, which focused on the practical application of the agricultural techniques acquired by the youth on their own farms. It precedes the next phases of agricultural product processing and marketing. The ultimate goal is to enable young people to create jobs within the agricultural sector, provide opportunities for other youth, and contribute sustainably to improving the living conditions of their communities. The results were quick to emerge. During harvests carried out in the demonstration fields, the young participants achieved encouraging yields, particularly in potato production. This success surprised several participants who had initially doubted the effectiveness of organic fertilizers. For many, this first harvest serves as tangible proof that sustainable agricultural practices can produce concrete results and generate income. Among the beneficiaries is Monica BAHATI, a 21-year-old participant who enthusiastically shares the impact this training has had on her life: "Through ADED’s youth empowerment project, I received training in agricultural techniques at the Agricultural Learning Center (CAA) in Nyiragongo. During the training, I learned how to prepare farmland, grow different crops, and apply good agricultural practices. Together with my colleagues, we also carried out practical fieldwork through to the harvest stage. Today, this knowledge is helping me become more self-reliant and build a better future for myself. My wish is to share what I have learned with other young people so that they too can develop their skills and improve their living conditions through agriculture." Beyond the harvests achieved, this program represents a real source of hope for the youth of North Kivu. By providing them with practical skills, technical knowledge, and access to productive resources, ADED is helping to build a generation capable of creating its own economic opportunities. Agriculture is proving to be not only a means of subsistence but also a powerful tool for development, resilience, and poverty reduction. Through its Agricultural Learning Center, ADED demonstrates that with the right support, young people can become agents of change within their communities.