The greatest asset possessed by the people of Africa is not the tea fields, the wildlife, or the sugar cane fields; rather, Africa’s greatest asset is its young people.

Strikingly, in Kenya alone, 72.2% of population is below 30 years of age.  The youth seem to be an unreached people group in many African communities. Churches, homes, and schools lack relevant wholistic programs for ministering to the youth of this generation.

Idleness among the youth leaves them open to compromise their character in many ways. Because of poverty, many girls become easy prey for the young men who would want to have sexual relations with them in the communities, providing monetary compensation in return. Meeting the felt needs of the youth is an effective way to bring the youth population closer to experience the ‘life in abundance’ that Jesus offers all of humanity.

LIA has developed youth discipleship programs to meet the felt needs of the youth in both Kenya and Ethiopia. Targeting street children and at risk youth, the programs use tutoring, AIDS education, abstinence training, job skill training, micro loans, counseling, spiritual mentoring, and above all, love to impact the youth of Africa.