When Riley Mari went to teach in Swaziland as part of his UBC studies, he realized that foreign aid wasn't doing enough to give people the skills and resources to prosper. He and his brother Brandon founded Youth Education Farms, a federally registered charity that develops and manages agriculture enterprises in Swaziland. Recent projects include building multiple crop farms, livestock farms and a retail outlet and butcher shop. This year it's paying for the school fees of 100 children through the profits of these enterprises.
"Our goal is not to simply 'give', but to provide a sustainable model based off socially focused enterprises that will fight the poverty and HIV/AIDS crisis," their brochure says.
On June 14, Youth Education Farms hosted a fundraising gala at Birks. It was catered by Hawksworth with wine provided by Le Vieux Pin.
"Our generation is drawn to new ideas," Riley Mari says of YEF's approach. "I feel there's a strong sense of giving back."
The gala raised more than $100,000, prompting Youth Education Farms to give back a whole lot of praise to the people who helped them reach out to other young people in Africa.
