The project is a 10-week therapy program run by UP Zambia, targeting both community children and those in detention. Supported by donations, it plans to expand to other facilities and community settings. Currently, it operates in a correctional facility in Lusaka, Zambia, offering sports, arts programs, and group therapy to 150 children. The aim is to enhance their mental and physical health and support their rehabilitation for smoother reintegration into society upon release.
Most youth and children in conflict with the law in Zambia come from difficult socio-economic situations, have little family or social support, and are often involved with substance abuse. Coupled with over-cramped prisons often shared with adults, lack of essential basic services and provisions in custody and detention, children are at high risk of mental health problems. Once released, they have very little social support to reintegrate into their communities and often end up re-offending.
In 2021-2022 we piloted a programme working with both children who had been released from detention facilities in Zambia as well as high risk children in the community. We combined child group therapy with sports activities as well as parental support groups to improve parenting skills and saw a drastic reduction in anti-social behaviour, substance abuse and crime amongst participating children and youth. This project will upscale and continue this vital work.
This project aims to help 50 children who have been in conflict with the law or are at high risk of criminal behaviour to reintegrate into society and prevent a relapse into crime using sports, arts and therapy to improve mental and physical wellbeing and provide essential coping and life skills for the future. By supporting 50 parents to improve their parenting skills, this project will indirectly benefit the welfare of a further 300 children in the compounds of Lusaka.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
