YMCA Bulawayo at ZITF: Building Partnerships to Empower Youth through the Y-Justice Program
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The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Bulawayo sent a team of five members to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) to network with different stakeholders who might get on board to support the Y-Justice program. The team attended the exhibition on the official opening day and visited various stands for engagement, recognizing that each connection could serve a unique purpose.
Focusing on Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the team acknowledged that most trained Y-Justice participants venture into business within this sector. One exhibitor, impressed by the Y-Justice initiative, expressed interest in partnering with YMCA to magnify the program's impact, emphasizing the importance of supporting the leaders of tomorrow.
The team also sought potential partnerships for skills training, targeting companies with vocational expertise to teach specialized skills to young people at risk of conflict with the law. They engaged with exhibitors involved in crafts, fashion, and detergent making, among other trades. These discussions were promising, as the targeted groups showed keen interest in further collaboration. Banda, a team member, highlighted the importance of establishing such relationships to ensure young people can thrive in business despite economic challenges.
In addition to SMEs, the YMCA team engaged with companies practicing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), aiming to mobilize support to ensure the smooth operation of the Y-Justice program and extend its reach to more young people.
This engagement was not limited to the Y-Justice project but also aimed to build relationships with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the private sector to support the branch’s current and future projects.
