By Chabu Kapota | Communications Assistant
With the support received so far, both through the GlobalGiving campaign and local fundraisers, UP Zambia has started the first cohort of teens in the Mentorship Program. The first enrollment includes 37 children from the community of Kanyama.
We are now in the 4th week of the Kanyama Mentorship Programme. Programme activities take place 3 days per week. On Wednesdays, UP Zambia staff lead a weekly support group meeting with guardians of the teens in the programme. Sessions have focused on how childhood experiences impact teen behaviour, and how to recognize substance use and abuse. On Thursdays, we meet the teens in Kanyama for group therapy. On Fridays, the teens focus on sports and arts activities. 23 teen boys chose to participate in the football programme and 14 teens (8 girls and 6 boys) chose to participate in the arts program.
The highlights so far we have noticed that the teens have shown improvement in their football and art skills and improved coordination. Parents have reported a change in the teens' behaviour and the one-on-one counselling follow-ups have shown that there is behavioural change among the teens at home.
The Mentorship Programme has received recognition and support from the Zambian government. On the 28th of October, 2022 UP Zambia launched the 2nd Mentorship Programme for teens in Kanyama and Matero and has partnered with National Youth Development Council (NYDC).
The launch was graced by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Art Director, the NYDC Council Secretary, Director- Zambia Correctional services, guardians of the teens in the Mentorship programme and other senior government officials.
At the launch, we received sports gear from NYDC and care packages for the girls and their parents from UNFPA. The National Sports Council (NSC) has pledged the use of the football pitch at no cost to the program and the National Arts Council (NAC) has given studio space free of charge for the weekly art activities.
UP Zambia is encouraged by the promise of this programme and we thank you all for your support in making this opportunity possible through your financial support.
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