From the drawing board to our own silicon valley, 18 social impact leaders take their ideas from mere creative currency to real ventures. Six months of rigorous learning, coaching, mentorship and peer collaborations via Impact Toolbox have produced these innovative leaders. Allow us to showcase five (5) of our exceptional Youth in Development Fellows and their ventures. The Youth in Development Fellowship is a 6-month program that provides social entrepreneurs and leaders with skills and tools to make an impact through social change initiatives. The 2021 fellowship facilitated the fertile ground that has now birthed these five new start-ups:

1. Brenda Nakanwagi (Farmer Evolve)

Farmer Evolve is an initiative that has set out to alleviate poverty among smallholder farmers and promote food security. Its primary aim is to ensure that farmers have better livelihoods, and this would be realized through the provision of Agricultural finance and Agricultural evidence-based training to Smallholder Farmers. This is with the hope of contributing significantly to the hunger fight and all its effects. Farmer Evolve was initially based in Wakiso District but has extended its impact to other districts like Luweero, Mpigi and Kassanda and hopes to reach out to smallholder farmers countrywide with its solution for sustainable Agriculture.

2. Samson Samuel Tobiloba (X-Lab)

X-lab is a virtual laboratory for secondary school students. The X-lab tool pack comprises an Augmented Reality (AR)/ Virtual Reality (VR) powered software, a mobile application, and a virtual reality headset (Oculus Quest 2). Through the combination of these tools, students in secondary schools who cannot access Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) practical would be able to do so at our designated X-labs in low-income communities, homes and partnering schools. The X-Lab makes the virtual teaching experience complete as students can carry out curriculum-based and tutor practicals from the comfort of their homes/ designated centers.

3. Esther Agaja (The Eco Diversified International) 

Climate change affects every aspect of the natural environment. The problem of climate change is a global issue affecting both man, animals, and the environment at large. Deforestation is one of the effects of climate change. The mission of this venture is to restore our climate to the pre-industrial level through their project called Climate Restoration through Agro Green Economy. It aims is to use tree planting, one of the climate restoration approaches to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. This system is being adopted because trees support wildfire recovery, restore native ecosystems, improve water quality, and mitigate climate change. The project is to curb the adverse effects of climate change and raise awareness about the economic value of trees.

4. Patrick Obumselu (Skylar by Lumever)

Lumever is an EdTech company focused on achieving SDG goal 4, which aims to achieve equitable and quality education. In July 2021, Lumever developed a mobile app called Skylar. On this online educational platform, students in Nigeria can gain relevant work skills in line with their career path and have access to job internships and global apprenticeship opportunities.

5. Onuorah Chinenye (Regalo Hope Foundation)

Regalo Hope Foundation provides solutions to pressing issues ranging from health issues, business support, academic support and impacting young adults with skills sufficient for entrepreneurial pursuits.

This is achieved by organizing free health testing in underprivileged communities, providing start-up funds for petty trade, awarding educational scholarships, and establishing a resource and learning center. In this after-school program, young people are provided with academic support and training for improved education and poverty reduction.

So far,  scholarships have been awarded to 375 children, start-up funds for petty trading to 75 women, 598 youth empowered through training, free testing for 1076 persons and mentoring clubs established in 10 schools in Lagos state with 624 registered members.