The youth in Rarieda District do not want to be left behind when it comes to entrepreneurship and employment opportunities. In the recent past, they were known to pass their time idling away and have nothing or little on their table at the end of the day. I recently sought to visit some of the participants who have benefited from the DOT ReachUp! Program to see what they had to say.

Eric Owino has established Agro-vet shop in Aram Market. In this establishment, he has stocked farm resources such as various seeds, pesticides, insecticides and medicine for farm livestock. When Eric completed his Secondary school education, he went back to teach in another secondary school, while waiting to join college. He joined college and took up an agricultural course thanks to a sponsor who paid his school fees. Unfortunately, his sponsor passed on and he was unable to go on with his studies at the college. All was not lost, come February 2012, he enrolled for the DOT ReachUp! Program which he successfully completed. Using his prior knowledge in agriculture and the skills he had acquired in the ReachUp! Program, he resorted to starting an agro-vet shop in the month of May, which is his full time job. As he is not an expert in this trade, he seeks his mentorship from an established veterinary doctor in the area. One thing Eric would like to do is increase his stock and one way he does this is by practicing maize farming to raise more capital.

Susan Akinyi Ochar works at a computer services bureau. She exudes so much energy and her passion for working with computers is clear to see. She may not be an expert but she's willing to learn more. She views the ReachUp! Program as a means to improve her business management and administration skills. In future, she hopes to further her computer skills and know more about database management.

Brian Otieno has three operational projects: a DSTV Centre, a retail kiosk and a bodaboda business. Brian tapped well into the need of the youth and especially the men who like to watch football games. All he had to do was get a TV, a DSTV connection and a power source to hit the road running. His establishment airs both the local and international football matches as well as other entertaining shows. Charges for the football matches are priced depending on how sensational the match is, with the minimum being Kshs.10 and the highest Kshs.40. The maximum number of individuals the room can hold is up to forty. Nearby the DSTV room, he has an established retail kiosk that serves the needs of the surrounding community members. To effectively run his two businesses, he gets help from his brother David, who is always ready to assist.

Maureen Awino has an established a retail kiosk which has been operational for one year now. This is where she spends the better part of her day. Most of her customers come in the evening as they head home from their working stations. She admits that there is a lot of competition as there are many other retailers in the place. What makes her find and retain her customers is how she relates with them. This skill of good customer relations has seen her business grow little by little.

Dancun Lumumba, who is the facilitator in this region, has led by example; While empowering his participants, he has also initiated a business complex which he runs. At Juba General Store, Dancun has successfully set up a retail kiosk and has rented a separate room to a posho mill operator where people come to grind their grains. Also in the same establishment is Shining Star Youth Development Centre which doubles up as a DOT centre where participants undergo the ReachUp! Program. Most of Dancun's participants are members of youth groups. One such participant is Marceline who is in multiple youth groups. Some of the activities carried out in these groups include; catering services, goat keeping, bodaboda business and even supporting people living with HIV/AIDS.

Dancun is not only their facilitator, but also their friend and coach. He seeks to help others in his community as he has been fortunate in many instances in his life that cause him to have that drive to assist many. The participants are grateful for the advent of the DOT ReachUp! Program in their region as it has enabled them to challenge themselves in a positive way.

 Keep up the good work, Dancun, of impacting your community!