EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE: THE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT REVOLUTION
Youth engagement at Copper Rose Zambia is crucial for achieving the organization’s mission and fostering positive change in communities. In an effort to promote youth engagement, Copper Rose has engaged quite a number of young people in various activities, programs, and initiatives to empower them and enable them to actively participate in decision-making processes, community development, and societal issues. These activities include planning and executing community outreach programs, training and capacity building programs, participation in different partnership organizational meetings and running the youth led activities. Here are some detailed key ways in which Copper Rose Zambia has involved young people effectively:
- Youth-Led Initiatives: As an organization, we have empowered over 100 young people to lead their initiatives or projects within the organization. This not only gives them a sense of ownership but also allows them to address issues they are passionate about especially through Community Outreach Sessions.
- Training and Capacity Building:Copper Rose Zambia offers training and skill-building programs to help youths develop leadership, communication, and advocacy skills. These skills will enable them to contribute more effectively to the NGO’s work. Our volunteers are trained in various fields among them; Peer Education training for Reproductive Health and Rights, Menstrual Health Education, SMART advocacy and Values Clarification for Attitudes Transformation training just to mention a few. The organization has over 100 volunteers.
- Mentorship Programs:We have been pairing young volunteers and/or staff members with experienced mentors within the organization. This mentorship program has been helping young individuals to learn and grow in their roles. Copper Rose Zambia through the USAID CHEKUP I Project has trained 27 mentors to work under the Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) Program and the School Based Prevention Initiative (SBPI).
- Partnerships with Youth Organizations:CRZ over the years has collaborated with various youth-led organizations to amplify the impact of our work. We believe that joint efforts can lead to more significant change in society. Furthermore, Copper Rose promotes inclusivity and diversity by encouraging young people from various backgrounds to participate and create a welcoming environment where all voices are heard.
Testimonial; Betty Banda is a volunteer at Copper Rose Zambia and has gained experience in community engagement and development through the various outreach programs she has participated in. “As someone who has volunteered for Copper Rose from 2019, I have been engaged in a number of projects like the Zambia University Pregnancy Prevention Initiative and Gender Equality and several outreach and training programs which have helped in building my capacity in public speaking and Leadership. Also, my knowledge in Reproductive Health issues and Gender Equality has been enhanced, which has opened speaking opportunities for me with different organizations that focus on something similar to what CRZ does.” Betty Banda Copper Rose Zambia Volunteer
Youth engagement should be a two-way street. As an organisation, we strive to listen to the perspectives of young people we work with, involve them in decision-making processes and provide opportunities for them to take on leadership roles. By doing so, we strongly believe that the organization will benefit from fresh ideas, increased energy and a stronger connection with the communities we serve.
Copper Rose Zambia Volunteers during a Community Based Distributors Training in Lusaka
An interactive and fun session organized by young people at the Kitwe Youth Hub
Copper Rose Zambia Peer Educator educating young girls at Mtendere Primary school on Menstrual Hygiene