THE NGO NETWORK ALLIANCE PROJECT - an online community for Zimbabwean activists  
 View archive by sector
 
 
    HOME THE PROJECT DIRECTORYJOINARCHIVESEARCH E:ACTIVISMBLOGSMSFREEDOM FONELINKS CONTACT US
 

 


Back to Index

Youth Alive Zimbabwe - organisation overview
Youth Alive Zimbabwe
June 21, 2002


INTRODUCTION

Youth Alive Zimbabwe (YA Zim) is a positive peer support group. Based on Christian faith and values, it welcomes youth of all denominations and beliefs. The overall objective of YA Zimbabwe is to empower young people to make responsible, life-giving choices so that they can live positive, healthy and fulfilling lives. It encourages the young people making this choice to be a positive and constructive influence to their peers and to use this positive peer pressure to support and encourage each other to live positively.

BACKGROUND

Youth Alive activities began in Zimbabwe following the first Education For Life –a Behaviour Change Process (EFL-BCP) workshop in April 1999. Sr Miriam Duggan organized the workshop in conjunction with the Bishop’s Office, Mutare Diocese for Parish and Youth Leaders from Mutare and Harare Dioceses.

The need for Youth Alive in Zimbabwe was recognized if these workshops were to continue and also as a tool to ensure the support and sustainability of non-risk behaviour in young people after the workshops.

These workshops were developed in Uganda and have been a significant contributory factor to the change of behaviour in young people reflected in the sharp decline in the rates of HIV infection cases from about 30% to the current 9%. It dispels the negative belief that young people today cannot uphold positive values like self-control, abstinence etc. The programmes have since spread to Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to address behaviour change, upholding good values and develop young people of integrity, service and good character; people who understand their purpose of life and live exemplary lives.

VISION STATEMENT

To develop an AIDS free generation where young people can enjoy the fullness of life.

CORE VALUES

  • We believe that every person has the right to grow towards his/her unique potential in an enabling environment.
  • We believe in abstinence before marriage and faithfulness to a lifelong partner within marriage.
  • We believe that all individuals and communities have the inherent capacity to change attitudes and behaviours.
  • We believe behaviour change is the only essential strategy in overcoming the HIV pandemic.

OBJECTIVES

  • To help the young people to make positive choices to live their life to the full.
  • To educate young people regarding HIV/ AIDS.
  • To help the youth grow in awareness of correct spiritual, moral and cultural values so that they may live these values in their lives.
  • To encourage and assist youth to develop their talents fully.
  • To promote pro-life policies for young people through advocacy.
  • To develop a healthy state of mind, body, spirit and environment for all people.
  • Renewal of lost hopes.

ACTIVITIES

  • Youth Alive achieves these objectives through:
  • Education for Life – Behaviour Change Process workshops.
  • Adventure Unlimited programmes for young people (9-12 years).
  • Treasure Life programmes (between 13-16 years).
  • On-going formation workshops.
  • Conducting follow-up programmes to support young people to sustain the newfound choices.
  • Talent shows i.e. sports, music and drama.
  • Conducting counselling services for issues of concern that affect young people.
  • Publications.
  • Life skills programmes

Visit the Youth Alive fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP