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For Ntelindwa, a determined young woman from rural Gairo, the road to success hasn’t been smooth but with persistence, she’s turning small steps into big opportunities. Her story is one of resilience, entrepreneurship, and the power of skills training to reshape youth livelihoods in Tanzania’s growing rural economy.
In 2023, Ntelindwa joined 300 other young people in a poultry farming training under the Skills for Employment Tanzania (SET) project. Implemented by Swisscontact in partnership with Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), the project provides both technical and soft skills to youth, helping them transform local resources into sustainable businesses.
Turning Setbacks into Solo Success
After completing the training, Ntelindwa and 36 fellow youth formed a poultry group. With start-up support including 200 chicks and key materials - they launched a collective venture.
“We initially worked well as a team,” she recalls, “but due to poor management and irresponsibility from some members, our project didn’t perform as expected.”
Rather than give up, Ntelindwa pivoted. Together with other motivated peers, she formed a savings group called Vijana Maendeleo.
Through the group’s Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), Ntelindwa accessed her first loan approximately CHF 75 (TZS 200,000) and bought 50 chicks to start her own poultry farm.
“I successfully sold my first batch of chickens,” she shares proudly.
Encouraged, she scaled up. Her second batch: 150 chickens, earning her about CHF 340 (TZS 900,000). Her third batch? A confident leap to 300 chickens, with an expected profit of around CHF 566 (TZS 1.5 million) money she plans to reinvest in her business and savings account.
Eyes on the Future: An Agrovet Dream
But Ntelindwa’s ambitions stretch beyond poultry.
“Through the SET training, I will be able to accomplish my dream of opening an agrovet shop in my village and earn more money,” she says. “This has been my dream, and now I feel confident about achieving it.”
Swisscontact: Equipping Youth for Opportunity
Swisscontact’s work in Tanzania is grounded in a belief that vocational and skills development can unlock economic opportunities for young people - particularly in rural and agricultural regions. By combining technical knowledge, life skills, and access to markets, the SET project is transforming the economic landscape for youth like Ntelindwa, helping them navigate challenges and build resilient, scalable enterprises.
“I appreciate the support provided by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), through the Swiss Embassy in Tanzania, Swisscontact, and Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania,” says Ntelindwa.
“The SET project has been a crucial stepping stone in my entrepreneurial journey, and I believe it will continue to empower many more youth like me to pursue their dreams of gainful employment and successful business ventures.”
About the Skills for Employment Tanzania (SET) Project
The SET project empowers out-of-school youth and young mothers across Tanzania with market-relevant skills and entrepreneurship training, particularly in agriculture, food processing, and rural enterprise.
This project is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania. It is implemented by Swisscontact as part of the Swisscontact Development Programme.