Training and supporting 500 young people to help tackle poverty

Although Africa has the youngest population in the world, with huge potential for growth, rising unemployment is leading to widespread hopelessness among young people, where almost a third of 15-35 year-olds are unemployed.

This growing problem has caused the younger generation to dream of leaving Africa for new opportunities in America and Europe, despite the continent’s rich natural resources and its capacity to create employment for its youth.

Just £50 could help change the lives of young people

Support this project

Building on what the Bible has to say about work and creativity, Scripture Union has launched a ground-breaking project that grew from a grass roots response to teenage disillusionment in Burundi.

Scripture Union International’s (SUI) Young Entrepreneur Program is now being rolled out internationally, helping young people find Biblical inspiration to create their own businesses, who in turn are helping support the ministry of Scripture Union by training and mentoring other young people in their countries.

The program is training, coaching, and inspiring young people in Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya to respond to what the Bible says and become entrepreneurs, pursuing their business ideas, contributing to economic growth, and making a positive impact for themselves, their families and society at large.

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Breaking free from poverty, discovering new hope and purpose, and becoming instruments of community transformation through entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of the Young Entrepreneur Program. The young entrepreneurs are challenged to put God’s word into practice and have a positive godly influence in their workplaces. As they are equipped with biblical values, positive attitudes, knowledge and skills, the young people are able to reverse the trend of unemployment and enjoy lives full of purpose and hope.

The program is all about ‘holistic ministry’, which is a key value for Scripture Union. We are seeing young people become confident to engage authentic sources of income and provide answers to their problems rather than waiting for their governments to help them.

The aim is to take 500 young people through the training over a two-year period, with those trained forming small Young Entrepreneurship SURGE (Scripture Union Releasing Godly Entrepreneurs) Groups and start small businesses, as well as meeting for weekly Bible study. Start-up grants and ongoing coaching and monitoring will also be part of the program.

SUI hopes groups and individuals will consider supporting the program:

  • It costs $150 dollars to train and walk alongside one individual for a year
  • SUI hopes to train 250 individuals over the next year so hopes to raise around £30,000 in the coming months.
  • Will you will sign up to be part of this exciting journey, and bring hope to one young person at a time?
Inspired by the Bible
YEP fact sheet
Stories of hope