| This study is an exploration of efforts toward social inclusion of former street youth in urban agriculture using two programs in Dar es Salaam (Dar), Tanzania as case studies. The thesis will describe, in brief, the relevant social, political and economic dimensions of urban agriculture in Dar and underscore the need for social policy literature to see the role and relations of youth to urban agriculture which is promoted in order to reclaim city spaces, rebuild urban centers in balance with nature and contribute to urban food security. Analysis focuses on the nature and quality of the urban agriculture programming approaches as interpreted by centre youth using a variety of participatory research methods including photography, art and radio drama in addition to interviews with centre staff and government stakeholders. It is argued that urban agriculture programs which offer youth the development of their affective domain of learning by studying and working with nature and gaining urban gardening skills and knowledge enables them to reconnect with their cultural values and the wider community with potential to strengthen youth's sense of empowerment and social inclusion. |
