Youth Advocates

When a young person reaches out, something changes.

Youth Advocates builds the national support system that moves young people from crisis to stability to economic independence through one integrated pathway.

Built in partnership with UNICEF EGMONT TRUST HIVOS OAK FOUNDATION

1 in 4

young people face mental health challenges with no support

56%

of new HIV infections occur in people aged 15–24

1 in 3

young women experience GBV before the age of 18

0

integrated youth support systems at national scale, until now

One Integrated Pathway

From Crisis to Independence

Not a project. A system. Every step connects to the next.

01

Crisis

A young person reaches out

02

Access

Immediate human connection

03

Support

Structured recovery

04

Transition

Skills and stability

05

Independence

Economic agency

Call 393 · WhatsApp · Chatbot · IVR · Walk-in · Shona · Ndebele · English · 24/7

How It Works

Three Components. One System.

Not separate projects. One integrated model where every component feeds the next.

393 Youth Helpline

Always On. Always Human.

Free, confidential, 24/7. Voice, WhatsApp, chatbot, and IVR in Shona, Ndebele, and English. Every contact is human-supported. 72-hour case follow-up is standard.

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Hope Hubs

Where Recovery Becomes a Future.

Community-based transition centres, not shelters. Skills training, SRHR services, and peer mentorship under one roof. Peer mentors are paid staff. Exit outcomes tracked at 6 and 12 months.

Find a Hub Near You →
SBC & Digital Platform

Reaching Young People Before Crisis.

Social behaviour change that reaches young people before crisis strikes, across digital and community channels. Aligned with UNICEF SBC standards and SADC regional frameworks.

Learn More →

150K+

young people reached annually

85%

report reduced distress after support

6

countries in the regional model

72h

average crisis-to-stable referral time

Where We Work

Active across Southern & East Africa.

See full country detail →
Map of Africa showing YAZ countries

Zimbabwe

Where YAZ Began

Uganda

Where We Work

Kenya

Where We Work

Zambia

Where We Work

Botswana

Where We Work

Malawi

Where We Work

Real Stories

Real People. Real Change.

Rutendo, 19 · Bulawayo
"I thought there was no one. Then I called 393."

Called at 2am during a family crisis. Within 48 hours she had a counsellor, a safety plan, and a referral to legal aid. Now completing A-levels and training as a peer mentor.

Takudzwa, 23 · Harare
"The Hub gave me somewhere to go after the shelter. A real next step."

GBV survivor who completed trauma counselling. Hope Hub Mbare connected him to a digital skills programme and a micro-enterprise grant. Now runs a mobile repair business employing two people.

Our Partners

Built to Scale, Together

Our partners are not logos. They are the architecture behind the work.

UNICEF
EGMONT TRUST
HIVOS
OAK FOUNDATION

Opportunities

Join the team.

See all opportunities →
Job

Programme Officer, Hope Hubs

Harare, Zimbabwe

Rolling applications Apply →
Internship

M&E Intern

Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe

Rolling applications Apply →
Volunteer

Peer Mentor (393 Helpline)

Remote / Zimbabwe

Rolling applications Apply →

From Crisis to Independence. One Integrated Pathway.

Ready to build this with us?

Whether you are a young person who needs support, a partner who wants to invest, or an organisation that wants to connect, there is a place for you in this system.

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