Imagine being an adolescent or young person seeking crucial sexual and reproductive health services but feeling uncomfortable and hesitant to access them. Sadly, this is the reality for many adolescents and young people (AYP) in Zambia. Recognizing the urgent need to improve the uptake of SRHR services among AYP, the Ministry of Health introduced Youth Friendly Spaces (YFS) in public health facilities. These spaces are designed to provide a safe haven where AYP can access essential services, engage in counselling, discuss pertinent issues, and connect with their peers through various activities. However, these youth friendly spaces often face significant challenges in fulfilling their mandate.
In the face of these challenges, Copper Rose Zambia has emerged as a transformative force. Through their youth care project, the organization has been working tirelessly to strengthen and enhance the capacity of the Chipata first level hospital youth friendly space, enabling it to truly serve its intended purpose. The impact has been profound.
Mercy Marilo Sakala, the dedicated focal point person for adolescents at Chipata first level hospital, passionately explained the hurdles they faced at the youth friendly space. Poor attendance at support groups and youth friendly space meetings, as well as a shortage of trained peer educators, presented significant obstacles. However, thanks to the intervention of Copper Rose Zambia, these obstacles are being overcome.
Through their project, Copper Rose Zambia has not only provided training for peer educators and community health workers, but they have also gone above and beyond by offering refreshments to the adolescents attending meetings at the YFS. The results have been astonishing.
“The attendance has skyrocketed by 100%, with up to 50 AYP now actively participating in each meeting,” exclaimed Madam Mercy. The presence of trained peer educators and community health workers has not only facilitated the sessions but also empowered them to impart knowledge and deliver vital services to their peers. The impact is palpable.
However, the impact extends far beyond the walls of the health facility. The trained peer educators have taken their newfound knowledge and outreach skills into schools and communities, conducting invaluable awareness activities on SRHR self-care. The ripple effects have been transformative.
“Thanks to the outreach activities conducted by the peer educators, we have been able to recruit more adolescents into the youth friendly space community,” shared Madam Mercy. “We have also disseminated vital information to community members, particularly through informative materials, leading to an increase in AYP accessing family planning and HIV test kits at our facility. These young individuals, who previously shied away due to societal pressures, are now taking charge of their own health and well-being.”
Copper Rose Zambia’s invaluable contributions have not only created safe spaces but also empowered young lives. Through their unwavering commitment, they have enabled AYP to overcome barriers, gain knowledge, and access essential SRHR services. By fostering a sense of belonging, they have transformed apprehension into confidence and isolation into a vibrant community of support. Copper Rose Zambia’s impact resonates not only within the walls of the youth friendly space but also throughout the wider community, as they work tirelessly to create a brighter, healthier future for Zambia’s adolescents and young people.