JMKF, IYF partner to empower youth

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF) and the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower youth through mindset education, skills development and entrepreneurship support.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate on youth training and business support programmes, focusing on 21st-century skills, technical knowledge and life skills aligned with the global job market.

The partnership also aims to strengthen youth-led businesses, boost innovation and improve access to capital and markets.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at IYF Headquarters in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, JMKF Chief Executive Officer, Ms Vanessa Anyoti described the agreement as a significant step in equipping youth with the knowledge and skills needed to become innovative leaders of the future.

“JMKF mission is to transform lives through innovative and sustainable solutions. Our priority areas are health, youth development and agriculture all of which align closely with the agreement we are signing today,” said Ms Anyoti.

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“Through this partnership with IYF, they hope to accelerate progress in these areas and create opportunities that will benefit not only young people but entire community.”

Ms Anyoti said that the agreement is directly aligned and supports national priorities, contributing to the goal of the National Youth Development Policy and the National Development Vision 2050.

“By combining the efforts of our two institutions, we are investing in the nation’s most vital resource its youth which in turn promotes inclusive growth and sustainable development. Investing in young people is investing in the future of Tanzania and Africa at large,” she said.

On his part, the IYF Director, Mr Sean Bang Masanja, said that the organisation has long been committed to supporting youth by helping them shape their lives through foundational mindset education.

“Through mindset education, young people will be able to maintain a positive outlook even as they engage in various activities within their communities. This mindset is key to personal success and long-term development,” he said.

He further said that the collaboration with JMKF will bring about positive transformation across different areas of young people’s lives and generate real change in their communities.

The IYF Chairperson, Mr Sylvester Mbinji said to kickstart the implementation of the agreement, the two organisations have launched a special two-day youth camp dubbed “Najivunia Tanzania”, which took place at the University of Dar es Salaam on Friday and Saturday.

Mr Mbinji who is also one of the coordinators of the initiative, said that the camp includes a wide range of activities, with a strong focus on mindset education, mental health awareness and helping young people improve their outlook on life.

“One of the main goals is to teach young people how to transform their perspective, to see how they can turn challenges into opportunities,” said Mr Mbinji.

He also said that the camp will introduce an exchange programme giving Tanzanian youth the opportunity to volunteer in other countries, including South Korea.

Furthermore, he said that, since its inception, IYF has supported over 3,000 young people through various programmes and they anticipate around 600 participants at this year’s camp.