The approach of the “Centres Collinaires d'Opportunités pour les jeunes (CCOJ) ” aims to bring together up to 50 young people on a hill to facilitate their access to various services, divided into two main categories: information and practical services. The selection of the youth is based on equitable and geographical criteria, taking gender diversity into account, thus forming the first generation of this project.

The centers are designed holistically to meet the diverse needs of young people, whether they are interested in sexual and reproductive health, agriculture, or finance. Once selected, the youth elect four leaders (two girls and two boys), who undergo accelerated training to become leaders. These groups are provided with tablets to access information and benefit from tailored services.

After one year of activities, these groups will serve as the foundation for creating branches in the sub-hills, allowing other young people to benefit from the same opportunities and organize similar groups.

On March 8th, the youth from CCOJ Mabayi had the opportunity to participate in a practical demonstration on bean planting, led by our expert agronomist. This activity marked their first agricultural project, and the excitement was palpable! With the help of the AgriCoach tool, they were able to apply essential techniques such as soil preparation, maintaining proper distances between stakes, applying manure and fertilizer, and using different planting methods. These young people are fully committed to sustainable agriculture, contributing to a brighter future for themselves and their community.

Ahishakiye Noella, 19 years old, a member of CCOJ Rumvya in the Mabayi commune (Cibitoke province), shares her experience since joining in October 2024. "The SRHR Coach helped me change the way I experience my sexuality as a young girl, and I’ve given up bad habits," she explains. She adds that she has learned a great deal through AgriCoach, especially good agricultural practices, and that FinanceCoach has helped her better understand how to create income-generating projects. Noella sincerely thanks AUXFIN for the idea of the CCOJs, saying: “Our lives have changed in just a few months thanks to the information we received on the tablets. My future is bright, and CCOJ is truly a source of knowledge." She concludes by emphasizing that being part of CCOJ has not prevented her from continuing her studies.

Meanwhile, Ndayishimiye Cyriaque, 20 years old, shares the profound changes brought about by the CCOJs. Before joining the program, even though he was a farmer, he was unaware of good agricultural practices. "Thanks to FinanceCoach, I’ve learned how to better prepare my financial future and generate income," he adds. He also mentions that he has learned to manage his sexuality more effectively and now advises his peers who are going down the wrong path.