In line with its founding objectives, the Start Them Early Program (STEP) has continued to create opportunities in the agricultural sector for young, school-age children in three African countries—DR Congo, Kenya, and Nigeria. To pursue this further, the TAAT-STEP project team in DR Congo recently embarked on a four-day visit to neighboring Rwanda, exploring expansion opportunities to reach young people in the country.
The STEP delegation—Samuel Mugambi, Welissa Mulei, Bobo Tangabanga, and Kavunja Kusinza—met with the Nyamasheke District Vice Mayor for social and economic affairs, Hon. Athanasie Mukankusi. The meeting resolved that the team would utilize IITA’s existing presence in Rwanda to facilitate collaboration for knowledge transfer to enhance the value of Rwandan youth through STEP projects in secondary schools.