Zambia YMCA has made great strides since it began the GOP process in 2004, with its first Country Focus Working Group. Members of the group include World Alliance of YMCAs, Africa Alliance of YMCAs, Y Care International, Sweden YMCA, YMCA Germany and YMCA Canada (Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA).
In 2005, Zambia YMCA underwent an Institutional Diagnosis which identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges in the three key areas of mission clarity, institutional viability and social relevance. Since then, we have achieved much due to the GOP focus on these areas:
Mission clarity – Zambia YMCA reviewed and revised its constitution so that now the movement has a clear mission with a shared vision. The mission is further being aligned to the Africa Alliance of YMCAs’ continental shared vision.
Institutional viability – The GOP created the first real opportunity for an honest assessment and evaluation of the Zambia YMCA by stakeholders. The movement has been able to discover its strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities and develop a strategic plan. This has further helped us to better define our priorities and develop a number of policy documents which are strongly and positively contributing to the movement’s viability. Apart from the constitution, other policy documents developed include those on Youth, HIV/AIDS, Gender policy, Christian emphasis, Personnel and a Financial Turn-around Strategy.
Good governance has been promoted at both national and local levels. Volunteer and board capacity leadership development workshops have been conducted and a succession leadership plan is being followed. Additionally, a staff skills audit is ongoing. Competent technical staff have been recruited and deployed in new local YMCAs as well as a new national programme director.
Social relevance – strengthened programme activities focus on Adolescent Reproductive Health (including HIV/AIDS) and a street kids’ project. Partner relations have been consolidated with Y Care International, Sweden YMCA-YWCA, Germany YMCA and Canada YMCA (Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA) along with NGOs of other countries, most notably USA International Youth Foundation. Local associations are also now able to go into new partnership agreements with both local and international partners like Gold of South Africa.
Recent achievements
These include:
• Development of our 2009-2011 Strategic Plan
• Improved governance improved with experienced board members
• Formation of Chaplains Committee for spiritual identity
• Relevant policies developed and implemented
• Two local YMCAs fully established and staffed
• Improved membership figures
• Increased income levels before the global economic crisis
• Improved local communication with the installation of internet facilities at national office
The movement’s profile has improved as evidenced by new partners coming on board at local association level. Programming has expanded through the development of new projects such as Youth Employability and Women’s Economic Empowerment, and vocation skills training also has added more courses.
Staffing has also improved with the recruitment of young professionals in all new projects and local associations. The impact of our programmes is best told by beneficiaries themselves through their personal stories. Importantly, a Communications team is now capturing the movement’s success stories.
Road ahead
Plans include:
• Increase resource mobilisation
• Infrastructure development
• Website design and development
• Market and increase YMCA visibility in communities
