Zambia & Zimbabwe YMCAs SAMS : Strengthening Governance, Health Programming and Movement Alignment Through Strategic Reflection
Educational Empowerment of Youths Across the Mano River Union – Sierra Leone
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Turning Youth-Led Ideas into Investment-Ready Impact Businesses
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Between 5th and 12th February, the Zambia YMCA and Zimbabwe YMCA engaged in the Strategic Alignment and Movement Strengthening (SAMS) process, a structured Movement Health Assessment designed to deepen reflection, strengthen alignment and inform strategic growth. Bringing together Board members and staff, the process created space for honest dialogue, practical insight and collective thinking around governance, sustainability, leadership, and programming effectiveness.
Through locally grounded and evidence-driven assessment, SAMS continues to serve as a vital framework for strengthening national movements, clarifying priorities and positioning YMCAs to deliver greater impact within their communities while contributing to the resilience and coherence of the broader Africa YMCA movement.
Zambia YMCA : 02–05 February 2026
From 02–05 February 2026, a health assessment in Zambia, engaging the Zambia YMCA Board and staff in reflective and practical discussions to identify priority health needs, gaps and opportunities.
The assessment, implemented through YMCA SAMS (Strategic Alignment and Movement Strengthening), concluded today and highlighted the importance of evidence-based, locally informed approaches to health programming, while contributing to broader movement strengthening efforts
Zimbabwe YMCA : 09–12 February 2026
Between 09–12 February 2026, the Africa Alliance of YMCAs team had the privilege of spending time in Zimbabwe, connecting with the Zimbabwe YMCA in a meaningful way.
Visiting all the branches to better understand the incredible work happening on the ground. It was inspiring to see firsthand the dedication, innovation and commitment of both staff and volunteers who continue to serve their communities with passion and resilience. Each branch shared its unique strengths, challenges and opportunities, giving us a deeper appreciation of the movement’s impact across the region. We will be sharing these stories soon.
Following the visits, we conducted a comprehensive Movement Health Assessment. This process was led by the Africa Alliance of YMCAs team. The Zimbabwe YMCA team included both Board members and staff. The assessment created space for open dialogue, reflection, and strategic thinking about governance, sustainability, programming, leadership and overall organizational effectiveness.
We are grateful for the honesty, engagement, and collaborative spirit demonstrated throughout the process. Together, we reflected on where the movement is today and where it aspires to go.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Board members and staff of both Zambia YMCA and Zimbabwe YMCA for the honesty, engagement and collaborative spirit demonstrated throughout the SAMS process. Together, we reflected meaningfully on where each movement stands today and where it aspires to go, laying a thoughtful foundation for strategic growth and strengthened impact. We are confident that the insights generated will translate into concrete actions that advance governance, sustainability, programming excellence and community transformation. The SAMS engagements in both movements were ably facilitated by Mr. Osborne Wanyama and Ms. Lavine Imali from the AAYMCA, and this important process was made possible through the support of YWCA–YMCA Sweden.
