Empowering Change: The Rover Scouts' Journey Towards the SDGs

On 28 December 2024, the United Nations Information Centre in Lusaka conducted an outreach activity at Yasheni Homes in Lusaka's Chainda township to help raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A total of 25 youth attended the session which was conducted by Charles Nonde, Public Information Assistant at the UN Information Centre Lusaka, who began by introducing the 17 SDGs. The Scouts learned about the global goals designed to address pressing issues such as poverty, hunger, education, and climate change. Each goal was presented with real-life examples, making the concepts relatable and inspiring.

The highlight of the outreach was a discussion on how the Rover Scouts could contribute to achieving these goals by 2030. Charles emphasized the unique role that youth can play in driving change, highlighting their energy, creativity, and ability to mobilize their peers.

The Scouts identified challenges in their communities aligned with specific SDGs and how they could mitigate the effects. “The community in which I live, has suffered a lot from deforestation, and I worry a lot about the state of the environment”, Peter a grade 10 at a public school in the Chainda community.

The room buzzed with excitement as ideas flowed freely. One group proposed organizing clean-up campaigns to tackle plastic pollution, aligning with Goal 14 (Life Below Water). Another group suggested starting a community garden to promote sustainable agriculture and combat hunger, supporting Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).

To bring their ideas to life, the Scouts were introduced to various resources and tools. They learned about local NGOs they could partner with, online platforms for further education, and ways to engage their community through social media and community interactions. The facilitator also shared success stories of other youth-led initiatives, reinforcing the message that they, too, could make a significant impact.

Following the outreach, the Rover Scouts are ready to embark on awareness-raising activities in surrounding communities to help educate fellow youth and inspire them to act in support of the SDGs.

The story of the Rover Scouts of Yasheni Homes and Multipurpose Cooperative is a testament to the power of education and youth engagement. By equipping young people with knowledge and resources, we can inspire them to take action and contribute to the global effort to achieve the SDGs. Their journey is a beacon of hope, showing that with determination and collaboration, a better world is within reach.

About Yasheni Homes and Multipurpose Cooperative 

It is an organization based in Lusaka, Zambia. It was established in October 2001 and commenced operations in March 2002, it focuses on community development and education. The organization runs the Yasheni Community School in Chainda, providing educational opportunities and support to local children particularly those coming from difficult backgrounds.