Meet Loice Njenge, a dedicated advocate who engaged with young girls and boys at Muchemwa High School in the rural Mondoro Ngezi District of Zimbabwe on 31 July 2024. Through her YELL movement, she facilitated a dialogue on drug and substance abuse among youth in rural communities. Loice emphasized the transformative power of mentorship spaces in rural areas, focusing on her movement’s thematic area of drug and substance abuse.
The enthusiastic students greatly appreciated the dialogue, gaining valuable insights into combating drug and substance abuse in their communities. They learned about the effects and causes of drug abuse and explored solutions to address this pressing issue. Notably, some girls who had previously been involved in drug abuse reported being inspired to refrain from harmful activities and are now seeking constructive outlets to stay occupied.
Loice is committed to creating mentorship spaces that encourage girls and boys to participate in sports, promoting physical health and mental well-being. The students left the dialogue with renewed hope for a positive change in addressing drug and substance abuse in their communities. Loice’s dedication to empowering rural youth is truly inspiring, and her efforts will undoubtedly make a lasting impact.
