The power of discovery of young people/empowering young people

As I reflect on my time as secretary of Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia, I am filled with pride and gratitude that at a young age, I can say I contributed to the development of the community of Garden compound as well as zambia at large. The organization’s mission to empower young people and foster sustainable development has been a beacon of hope for me and I am honored to have played a part in shaping its vision.

I joined Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia (DCZ) in the year 2021 with the intention to regain purpose after completing my senior secondary school awaiting to be admitted into university. With little knowledge on how to navigate through an organization, growing and contributing seemed unattainable. However, this was achieved through hard work, research, learning and guidance from my colleagues. My passion changed when I was elected general secretary in 2022, I saw an opportunity to unlock the potential of my peers, to provide them with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they deserved. As secretary, I have worked tirelessly to ensure our initiatives meet the evolving of young people.

I remember the excitement when three young people from Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia actively participated as well as elected into the ward development committee. This milestone demonstrated our commitment to community engagement and decision-making processes. Our members are contributing to local development plans ensuring that youth voices are heard and valued

Through Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia, I am proud to be accorded accountability champion driving ESA commitments. I stand to be one of the few young people advocating for sexual reproductive health and rights. I had the honor to represent Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia in two different countries on crucial issues related to adolescent and youth sexual reproductive and health rights as well as strategies for promoting comprehensive sexuality education, thus increasing access to youth friendly health services and advocating for policies that protects the rights of young people.

My journey with Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia has been a transformative experience. I have learned, grown and been inspired by the resilience and potential of young Zambians. As I look to the future, i can say that my journey has just began, I am excited to see the continued impact of my work, empowering young people to become change-makers and leaders in the community.

Sabina Muchese