AGYA to Partner with Los Angeles-based, ImMEDIAte Justice for Girls Media Training Program in Uganda

AGYA is thrilled to announce our partnership with ImMEDIAte Justice (IMJ), an organization devoted to revolutionizing sex education through filmmaking. IMJ operates in California and empowers young women of color with the knowledge and skills "to generate new images of reproductive freedom that inspire community action and global dialogue." IMJ and AGYA will work collaboratively to implement Reel Talk: Confronting Global Gender Disparities Through Digital Media an AGYA project funded by UN-Habitat as part of their Youth Fund Initiative.  

Reel Talk aims to train 48 teen girls to use film, digital media and photography as a platform to provide girls ages 15-20 with the training, artistic license and communication skills to transform attitudes and behaviors about critical gender issues among disadvantaged youth living in urban poverty in Kampala.  

AGYA To Collaborate with Justice by Uniting in Creative Energy (JUiCE) on International Artist Exchange

AGYA is proud to announce that we are partnering with Justice by Uniting in Creative Energy (JUiCE) on an international hip-hop artist exchange project that will bring Los Angeles-based MC and Hellfyre Club recording artist, Open Mike Eagle and Los Angeles-based beatmaker and Brainfeeder artist, Ras G, to work with Ugandan rapper Mon MC, youth artists, and other local musicians in Uganda for three weeks during summer 2012.

J.U.i.C.E. is a Los Angeles-based a non-profit hip-hop organization that encourages the creative expression and self-empowerment of all people through skill-building in the music, visual art, and dance of the hip-hop culture.

The project idea was born in 2010 when AGYA Executive Director, Divinity Matovu connected with JUiCE Co-Executive Director Daniel Rizik-Baer, who provided advice and guidance during the curriculum planning phase of "Recording Our Dreams," an AGYA project that is currently training youth on music production and recording with a focus on hip-hop. Learn more about "Recording Our Dreams" here.

AGYA Executive Director Visits Ethiopia - Conducts Informal Needs Assessment With Urban Youth

From March 21-23, 2011, AGYA Co-Founder and Executive Director, Divinity Barkley Matovu, visited Ethiopia where she met with several youth living in Addis Ababa, the urban capital of Ethiopia. While there, Divinity was hosted by 28 year old Robel Alawi, a native of Harar, Ethiopia who works part-time as a travel guide for international visitors. Robel also works with an organization that provides basic care for orphans, street children, and homeless youth who live in abject poverty in Addis Ababa. 

Youth Voices: Bboys Kawera and Derrick Write About AGYA's Impact in Their Lives

My name is Ssembajjwe Derrick Blusarino, I am 19 years old and I would like to share with you something about Talent. Before I discovered that I could be a bboy, I used to involve myself in a lot of negative stuff just like any other youth living in the ghetto. I had no hope for the future because I didn’t even ever take time to think about it. I lived a very wasteful life style and associated myself with negative people.

I am glad to write that today I realized my true self when I joined AGYA in 2009. A friend introduced me to AGYA and ever since the first day I came to AGYA, I have witnessed a lot of positive change within me.

(above: Derrick performing a dance routine at the Annual Hip-Hop For Society Event)

The way I used to see things has changed, I have learnt to appreciate, associate and share. AGYA has been my turning point in life because I have transitioned from that rebellious ghetto boy into a responsible and respectful young man. Through AGYA I have improved my talent and dancing skills. 

I even teach other youth who come to practice dance at AGYA. I feel my dancing career is being uplifted and I can now determine a bright future because I know it’s there for me if I continue to work hard and develop my talent.

Through dance I have been linked to big dance projects like Break-dance Project Uganda (BPU), Dance Together Uganda (DTU)), Sixstel International Foundation and Kyuka Youth Outreach. I have showcased on different platforms including Hip-Hop For Society organized by BPU, Hip-hop Expo organized by AGYA, Dance Week Uganda and Jump Youth Explosion among others.

University Fund Advisory Board Members Announced

Last month, we announced the creation of the AGYA University Fund, a savings account that will provide college-bound Ugandan youth with a sustainable source of financial aid. This month, we are announcing the names of the AGYA International Volunteer Program Alumni who have committed to serving on the Advisory Board of the University Fund.

As alumni of AGYA's International Volunteer Program, all of the Advisory Board Members are either college students or young professionals who have contributed to and experienced first-hand AGYA's work to empower, educate and enrich the lives of Ugandan youth.

AGYA To Receive In-Kind Graphic/Web Design Services from Brand Workshop, California

AGYA is proud to announce that, for the next 16 weeks, a group of students from California State University – Long Beach will be helping AGYA with branding and visual communication design services. The students are enrolled in CSULB’s Brand Workshop, which is lead by CSULB Professor Sunook Park, who is also the Creative Director of ANDLAB, Inc., a Los Angeles based cross-cultural branding consultancy.

The Brand Workshop meets twice weekly for an entire 16 week semester. During this time, students work on various projects that include branding and visual marketing concept development for corporations and non-profit organizations. AGYA has been selected as one of the non-profits that will receive brand consulting and web design services this year.

AGYA Youth Leaders Honored at Young Achievers Awards

On Friday, December 3, 2010 at Kampala’s beautiful Serena Hotel, AGYA Youth Leaders Sarah Mulekatete and Kenneth Mulinde (pictured below) were honored among a group of Uganda’s most promising young leaders.

At 6 Month Mark, AGYA Highlights Success of One Laptop Per Child Project

Six months ago, AGYA's grant of 10 XO laptops from One Laptop Per Child, an internationally renowned organization, arrived in Kampala, Uganda. Since then, AGYA's Project Leader, Matovu Abraham, and his Youth Leader Assistant, Mulinde Kenneth have been implementing programs aimed at improving typing and research skills and mathematic proficiency for children and youth.

The project is being implemented as part of AGYA's After-School Program and classes currently take place twice a week at AGYA's Community Center.

AGYA Co-Founder Divinity Matovu Honored At Glamour Magazine’s 20th Annual Woman of the Year Event

On Monday, November 8, 2010, AGYA Co-Founder, 24-year old Divinity Matovu took a break from the grassroots organizing, curriculum planning, and fundraising to enjoy an evening of glitz and glamour with some of the world’s most pre-eminent female leaders. Held at the majestic Carnegie Hall in New York City, Glamour’s WOTY Event celebrated its 20^th anniversary this year. Glamour selected 20 “amazing women” in their 20s and we are proud to announce that Divinity was fortunate enough to be among those 20. During a special segment of the event, the achievements of the 20 amazing women were introduced by Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and former President, Bill Clinton.

“The Glamour event blew my mind. It was absolutely incredible to be in the presence of so many powerful, confident, amazing female leaders.” said Divinity, pictured above.

18 New Youth Leaders Will Lead AGYA Into 2011

The involvement of youth in leadership positions is a central aspect of AGYA's philosophy. This approach is a departure from traditional Ugandan culture, which maintains the supremacy of elders, a point of view that often diminishes the capabilities of young people and renders their opinions irrelevant or unimportant. In AGYA, youth leaders gain valuable leadership experience and earn a monthly stipend which allows them to supplement their family's household income and be economically empowered young people.

All youth leaders have decision-making authority, contribute to the organization's overall strategic plan, conduct outreach and advocacy in the community, lead meetings, facilitate classes and workshops, and serve as Ambassadors to friends of AGYA. The inclusion of these powerful young voices has helped to set the organization's agenda and introduced new, innovative solutions to key problems affecting the thousands of Ugandan's living in urban poverty.

AGYA Youth Use Stop-Motion Technology To Create Animated Promo Video!

After only 6 weeks of intensive media training with Point Youth Media volunteers, a team of AGYA Youth have filmed and edited the following promo video in Uganda. This short video (which features "Long Time," the original composition written and recorded by AGYA youth in the opening scene) serves as a testament to the ways in which access to resources and training can truly open up a world of possibilities for children and youth. Enjoy!

USC Students Share Snapshots of Work in Uganda

AGYA Co-Founder, Divinity Barkley, Named as a Finalist in DoSomething Awards

When AGYA Co-Founder, Divinity Barkley first heard of DoSomething.org six months ago, she thought of her favorite quote from Albert Einstein: “the world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look and do nothing.”

Argentina-based Fundraiser Joins AGYA Team for 12-Week Internship

AGYA has selected Jorge Chahle, a graduate Marketing student at the Argentinean School of Business, to fulfill a 12-week internship focused on research grants and write funding proposals. Chahle is fluent in Spanish and English, and for the last 3 years, has worked as Development Coordinator with Amnesty International in Argentina. Currently, he is also working for Doctors Without Borders Argentina, coordinating a pilot project of individual giving.

Hoping to put AGYA on a path towards financial sustainability, Executive Director, Divinity Barkley, designed the internship to attract talented professionals with grant-writing and fundraising experience. Barkley posted the internship opening on Idealist.org, and Chahle was one of the most appealing candidates. Within a few days of receiving his cover letter and resume via e-mail, Barkley and Chahle had connected via Twitter, Facebook, and Skype. “After our first Skype call, I knew Chahle was the right guy for this internship,” says Barkley.

AGYA Secures a Grant of 10 Laptops from One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)

With the goal of increasing the computer literacy of young Ugandans, AGYA reached out to world-renowned organization, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC).