In 2020, Youth Power Organization (YPO) was founded by two former youth students from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Mr. Charles Makongo and Ms. Mary Magoti, and was officially registered on January 5, 2021. While still at university, Mr. Charles and Ms. Mary distinguished themselves as exemplary leaders through their roles in the student government.

Ms. Mary Magoti was recognised as a courageous and hard-working young woman with strong principles and a work ethic. One unforgettable achievement was that, through the student government, Ms. Mary became the first female Vice President of SUA since its establishment in 1984.

On the other hand, Mr. Charles Makongo was acknowledged for his creativity, integrity, and high sense of responsibility.

Having experienced the challenges faced by youth at university, they decided to contribute to solving the problem of youth unemployment after graduation and those who didn’t attend or complete school.

They were trusted leaders and role models who wanted their leadership and creative talents to benefit others beyond university life. Their mission was to provide “POWER” to fellow youths who may not have recognized their potential.

This is when the name “Youth Power Organization” came into their minds with the mission to enrich the lives of youth by connecting them to sustainable income opportunities.

The organization’s name reflects its goal of uniting youth and empowering them through skills training, access to capital, social and business networks, and opportunities to gain exposure and connect with various stakeholders.

In addition to building their capacity for self-employment or traditional employment, YPO also aims to prepare youth to contribute to solutions for challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, gender-based violence, and oppressive social systems.