How One Mentor Transformed Youth Opportunities

Dr Daniel’s story begins with a simple attempt at a side hustle. “I was a medical doctor, but I had big economic dreams,” he recalls. “In 2019, I started my first poultry farm on my father’s land, with no capital and no prior experience.” What started as an experiment soon became profitable. The lack of accessible, practical information on poultry farming led him to document his lessons online. “I told myself, if I succeed, I’ll make it easier for others to follow.”

That decision positioned him as an inspiring figure and mentor from the world of work. His YouTube channel quickly grew into a learning hub, with over half a million followers seeking practical, accessible agricultural education. By 2021, his farm was earning twice his medical salary, prompting him to resign and go full-time into agribusiness.

For students, Dr. Daniel’s experience is not just about poultry farming but about mindset, skills, and perseverance. His Farm Up Academy provides step-by-step modules and downloadable templates, teaching young people how to manage farms, staff, feed, and markets. He stresses that success goes beyond technical knowledge: “What youth want to know is not just how to raise chickens, but how to manage farms in their absence, how to cut feed costs, and how to make profits.”

Coming from the world of work, he demonstrates the full cycle, which includes identifying opportunities, overcoming challenges, and building resilience. This aligns with LEAP’s vision of Study & Career Guidance and Project-Based Learning, which is to expose learners to role models who contextualise classroom content with real-world practices and challenges.

A central part of Dr Daniel’s impact is his use of digital storytelling. “People don’t care much about the quality of the video. They care about the story. That’s what builds trust, community, and connection,” he explains. His content has not only inspired youth in Uganda but has drawn clients from across borders. Over 60% of his customers now come directly from his online presence.

For learners, this offers a powerful example of how digital tools can amplify agricultural work, demonstrating that innovation in agribusiness is not limited to the farm but extends into communication, branding, and networking.

Dr Daniel’s journey shows how one WoW actor can trigger change. Many youth have benefited from his academy, tutorials mentorship and gone on to start their own agribusinesses or online education platforms. His example is what LEAP seeks to promote through SCG and PjBL, which is young people gaining both skills and contacts that prepare them for meaningful work.

Dr Daniel emphasises that youth empowerment starts with shifting mindsets: “People think their degree defines them. But all it takes is seeing someone like you succeed in another path to realise ‘I can do this too.’” He advises learners: “If you have a smartphone and internet, you’re holding gold. Start telling your story.”

For teachers, integrating role models like Dr Daniel into lessons connects classroom knowledge with real opportunities. Word of work partners and mentors help students explore careers, develop aspirations, and build networks.

​Dr Daniel’s story highlights why including world of work experience is critical in today’s education. He embodies the resilience, creativity, and adaptability needed in current agrifood systems and demonstrates how digital skills can transform not only individual lives but also communities. His message to youth is clear: “Agriculture is not just survival but rather innovation, entrepreneurship, and a way to sustainable futures.