CYP Africa Partners with Student Partnership Worldwide (SPW) Zambia

Commonwealth Youth Programme Regional Centre for Africa (CYP RCA) has developed a partnership with the Student Partnership Worldwide (SPW) Zambia on HIV and AIDS in schools. SPW currently has volunteers in schools. Through this programme the Young Ambassadors of Positive Living (YAPL) members have been integrated and after going through training, have been posted in the various schools in the following districts in central province; Kabwe, Kapiri, Mkushi, Serenje & Mumbwa where SPW is running some HIV and AIDS programmes.

The YESL Team comprising of Ms Marian Kpakpah, Programme Manager Youth Enterprise and Sustainable Livelihood (YESL) was accompanied by Mrs. Judith Mwanza, Information and Programme Support Assistant and Ms Sheila Ngutu; CYP RCA Intern participated in the 2 week refresher course for 160 Peer Educators including 12 YAPL Ambassadors.

The objectives of the mission included; participating in the training workshop of SPW Volunteers/ YAPL members; facilitating the training sessions on positive living; and giving support to the YAPL network members.

The workshop was a full day session on positive living.

Outcomes: 

• CYP and SPW signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 20th April 2007.
• CYP is financially supporting the training, placement and support of the 12 YAPL Peer Educators.
• CYP successfully trained the volunteers on positive living.
• A visit to SPW premises gave CYP delegation a better understanding of its operations.
• CYP advised SPW to consider its age group up to 35 so as to be in line with Zambia's definition of a Youth (SPW's age bracket is 18-29).

Follow ups 

• CYP to monitor and review the delivery of the programme means of reports and periodic visits to volunteers in their placement areas,
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• CYP to publicise the programme in member countries, CYP networks and   official governmental and non governmental organizations,
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• CYP to continue providing financial resources to support the delivery of activities as described in the CYP/SPW Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).