Bosco Youth Agriculture Centre is one of Manzini Youth Care centres. It is found at Mzimphofu in the Manzini region. BYAC is one of its kind. It was built to support and provide Agricultural skills to the youth especially those that are vulnerable and marginalized. During its early days of establishment, only two agricultural activities were supported and propelled to motion which was horticulture and piggery, but today the number of activities has grows immensely. Today the centre does beekeeping, animal breeding , and there’s even an orchard.
The BYAC training takes three to four months for a certain number of trainees per group of a certain gender. After the three or four months of hard work and determination the trainees graduates with certificates in agriculture as agriculture expects. Most of BYAC graduates become entrepreneurs and others works in some agriculture training centre anywhere in the country as trainers. Also, during their time at BYAC trainees are expected to attend different classes such as:
Computer Skills classes, Electrical classes, Plumbing classes, Entrepreneurship lessons, Recreational activities.
On the first day (orientation day ), past BYAC beneficiaries in better positions are being invited to motivate the new trainees as means of empowering them. They give them packages that they will need through out their stay at BYAC. During that time, the trainees are briefed on what is expected from them during their time at BYAC and of course how they should behave. The organization’s management team gets a chance to make their remarks and also wish the trainees a safe stay.
The centre provide shelter, food and all basic needs for the trainees. The MYC Social Welfare office (other Welfare offices) is the one that conducts assessments for the aspiring Bosco Youth Agricultural Centre (BYAC) trainees who want to get into the farming business and also for destitute children for Don Bosco Care homes. So, not everyone is allowed to be a BYAC trainee but only those who are vulnerable and marginalized.
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