Youth in Zambia face discrimination in school, at home and on the streets. Girls from poor families, youth with refugee background, youth living and working on the street or youth with disabilities don’t receive the education and healthcare they need.
In ODW Finland’s (Taksvärkki ry) new Be brave campaign Finnish youth support groups of young advocates in Zambia. The campaign started in August together with the new school year. The patroness of the Taksvärkki campaign is President Tarja Halonen.
In Zambia the Barefeet Children’s Council members focus on topics which affect their communities and the youths. Brave youth use peer to peer education and Theatre for Development to make a positive change. They share information, defend those without a voice and inspire other youth to act against discrimination.
Golden and Edith, both 17 years old, are Barefeet Children’s Council members in their hometown of Kaoma.
By spending one day at work and donating their pay to ODW Finland’s campaign, Finnish youth fund long-term development cooperation project in Zambia. ODW’s local partner organization Barefeet Theatre is in charge of the practical implementation of the project.
In Finland, the ODW campaign has a strong development education component. ODW volunteers visit elementary and secondary schools all over the country and tell about active youth in Zambia and children’s rights. These workshops are complemented by high-quality learning materials and study packages for teachers. The goal is to raise a sense of global responsibility in Finnish youth and to build links between youth in Finland and Zambia.
Young people have what it takes to change the world. That is why they are protagonists, not merely beneficiaries in ODW’s development cooperation projects.
The annual ODW campaign is young people’s own development cooperation, from youth to youth.
”In Taksvärkki we build bridges between youth.” – Iiris, 14, Finland
”You just have to know that you have value either you are rich, poor or disabled.” – Hope, 15, Zambia