About Us
Pan-African. Youth-Led. Built to Scale.
Founded in 2004 by young people who lived the gaps in the system and decided to close them.
Who We Are
A Pan-African, youth-led organisation built from the inside out.
Youth Advocates is a registered non-governmental organisation founded in 2004 by young Zimbabweans who lived the gaps in the system and decided to close them. We are youth-led by design, not by declaration. Our counsellors, programme officers, peer mentors, and most of our leadership are young people.
From a single helpline, we have grown into a Pan-African model active across multiple countries, delivering integrated health, psychosocial, and economic support through a single, connected pathway. Headquartered in Chitungwiza, with regional reach across Southern and East Africa.
2004
Year founded
900K+
Mobile users reached since 2020
27
Districts of operation
3+
Countries in the regional model
Why We Exist
The system that young people needed did not exist. So we built it.
Adolescents and young people across Africa face interconnected crises
1 in 4
young people face a mental health challenge with no support
56%
of new HIV infections occur in people aged 15–24
1 in 3
young women experience GBV before age 18
0
integrated national youth support systems existed before Youth Advocates
Who We Serve
Young people aged 10–35 across Southern and East Africa.
Our programmes are designed for adolescents and young people at every stage, from early prevention to crisis response to long-term economic independence.
Early Adolescents
Prevention, SBC, and safe disclosure pathways
Adolescents
SRHR, GBV response, crisis intervention via 393
Young Adults
Hope Hubs, economic empowerment, vocational skills
Older Youth
Leadership development, peer mentorship roles
Thematic Areas of Work
Where We Work
Active across Southern & East Africa.
Zimbabwe
Where YAZ Began
Uganda
Where We Work
Kenya
Where We Work
Zambia
Where We Work
Botswana
Where We Work
Malawi
Where We Work
How We Work
One integrated pathway. Not separate projects.
Every component of our model connects — from crisis helpline to Hope Hub to economic empowerment. We do not do projects. We build systems.
Community-First Design
We co-design every programme with the young people we serve. No assumptions. No outsiders deciding what youth need.
Data-Driven Delivery
Every contact tracked. Every referral followed up within 72 hours. Outcomes measured at 6 and 12 months post-programme.
Radical Integration
SRHR, mental health, GBV, and economic support delivered as one system — because crises do not arrive separately.
Mission & Vision
Built on a clear purpose.
Our Mission
To build integrated, youth-led systems of support that move young people from crisis to stability to economic independence.
Our Vision
A Southern and East Africa where no young person faces crisis alone — and where every young person has a pathway to independence.
Our Values
What we stand for.
Youth-Led
Young people are not the target — they are the solution.
Integrated
No siloed services. One connected pathway.
Evidence-Based
Everything we do is measured, tracked, and improved.
Confidential
Every contact is safe, private, and judgment-free.
Scalable
Built to replicate across the region, not just Zimbabwe.
Accountable
We report openly to our funders, partners, and communities.
Leadership
The team behind the work.
Executive Director
Leading strategy, partnerships, and the Pan-African expansion.
Programmes Director
Overseeing the integrated programme model across all three components.
M&E Lead
Driving data collection, outcomes measurement, and evidence generation.
Ready to work with us?
Whether you want to partner, volunteer, or just learn more — we'd love to hear from you.
