Zimbabwe Youth Council, TRM partner to address young people’s plight in rural areas

The Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) and Teen Rescue Mission (TRM) have entered a partnership to strengthen interventions in rural areas through economic empowerment programmes, health education and vocational training, a move which has been described as a roadmap to alleviate poverty, youth crimes, drug abuse and teen pregnancy among others.

Speaking after a tour made to Murehwa rural communities, ZYC Director of Finance and Administration, Tonderai Motsi, vowed the council’s interest in exploring potential funding for young people’s projects and unwavering support to all initiatives that are aimed at improving the welfare of young people in remote communities.

“On behalf of Teen Rescue Mission – an association registered under our council, I am writing to express interest in exploring potential funding opportunities. Since Teen Rescue Mission aims to empower vulnerable youths through life skills training, combating drug and substance abuse, early pregnancies and unemployment, our initiatives through this partnership, will align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 3, 4, 5 and 8.

“I believe this partnership will enhance our impact. Among key proposed projects include vocational training, entrepreneurship development and community engagement,” he said.

TRM Director, Abraham Matuka, said the partnership is a milestone and will go a long way in service delivery for the Trust and in achieving an upper-middle income society by 2030.

“I want to express much appreciation to Zimbabwe Youth Council for coming up with this initiative on youth associations doing exchange programmes. This programme of youth exchanging ideas brings impact among the young people as we strive to keep them developing in every area of their life,” said Matuka

ZYC was established in pursuit of youth empowerment and participation, to co-ordinate, supervise and foster the activities of youth clubs, associations or organizations from grassroots to national level, to facilitate youth participation in key national and international events and to be the interface between the government and the youth.