Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with nearly 61% of the population under the age of 25. It is critical for Uganda’s youth population to have access to the resources and skills that will empower them to become productive members of society who can contribute to Uganda’s progress.
This is why AGYA's After-School Program provides Ugandan youth living in urban poverty with a nurturing learning environment. Our Community Center offers free daily classes and workshops featuring tutoring and innovative arts and educational classes including computer skills, language training, textiles and fashion design, jewelry-making, poetry and creative writing, art, dance and music, photography, film and media. AGYA's action-oriented, youth-centered, curriculum-driven programs foster creativity, leadership, critical-thinking, and responsibility.
After-School Program Highlights:
One Laptop Per Child Project
Thanks to a grant of 10 XO laptops from OLPC, AGYA is increasing access to technology for children living in urban poverty in Uganda. Since May 2010, AGYA has used the XO laptops as a fun, innovative teaching aid to accomplish key target objectives such as: improving the performance of 100 children/youth (ages 6-20) in English reading and writing proficiency. OLPC workshops take place at AGYA's Community Center after-school and on weekends. To learn more about the development of this exciting project, click here to go to AGYA's OLPC Project Page
Recording Our Dreams Studio Project
Thanks to funding for a Clinton Global Initiative University Outstanding Commitment Award, AGYA currently operates a solar-powered recording studio at our Community Center. Youth ages 12-25 are able to participate in an intensive 16-week training program where they learn how to operate sound equipment and use software programs for recording, as well as book-keeping and marketing skills. The students are currently meeting three times per week and are working towards recording a mixtape CD that they can market and sell on iTunes. We project that, within two years, more than 150 youth will have successfully completed the media training course. 
PYM is a Canadian-based media arts organization that was founded by Hawa and Nasra Mire, two sisters living in Vancouver, BC who have a shared passion and understanding of social justice issues and the importance of involving youth in all levels of community.Using film and photography, the partnership between AGYA and PYM aims to raise awareness among Vancouver youth, support the skill building of Kampala youth and to support locally based organizations by building sustainable projects. Point Youth Media brings groups of 5-10 volunteers to Uganda twice annually to provide resources and teach skill building workshops and facilitation for AGYA youth members. During the time that PYM volunteers are not in Uganda, PYM's leadership team provides on-going curriculum support and continuing education for Ugandan youth who participate in media arts workshops.
Hip-hop has permeated every facet of Ugandan youth culture, and breakdancing - one of the four core elements of hip-hop - is a style of dance that allows young people the opportunity to express themselves creatively. Youth-led breakdancing classes take place at AGYA's Community Center more than 4 times per week and their are more than 100 participants between the ages of 8-25. Many of AGYA's youth dancers are also actively involved in the work of Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU), one of AGYA's core local partners. AGYA's official dance crew, Bazibuku Flow, performs at local events and concerts in Kampala and hope to use their talent to make a living from their art. Bazibuku Flow has represented at AGYA in more than 50 performances in the past year, including Uganda's famed National Theater. These performances help young people develop self-esteem, leadership and team-building skills.
