23/06/2026
Grassroot Soccer successfully held a Community Engagement Meeting at Kawama Clinic in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including guidance and counselling teachers, healthcare workers, parents, religious leaders, community leaders, and adolescents, to strengthen community support for adolescent health, mental health, and well-being.
During the meeting, participants discussed key challenges affecting adolescents in the community, including teenage pregnancies, mental health concerns, substance abuse, and limited access to SRHR information and services. Grassroot Soccer also showcased how its SKILLZ program using soccer as a tool to equip young people with health knowledge, life skills, and positive decision-making abilities.
Stakeholders emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between schools, health facilities, parents, and community leaders to create a supportive environment for adolescents. Healthcare workers highlighted the availability of youth-friendly services at Kawama Clinic and encouraged increased referrals from schools and community structures. Parents and religious leaders expressed concern about the growing mental health challenges among young people and called for more community awareness and engagement activities.
Therefore,stakeholders committed to strengthening referral pathways for adolescents, supporting community mobilization efforts, promoting adolescent participation in school health programmes such as SKILLZ, and advocating for open communication between young people and caregivers. Guidance and counselling teachers pledged to continue providing counseling services to learners and linking them to appropriate services, while community and religious leaders committed to supporting health education initiatives within their respective groups.
The meeting reinforced the importance of a coordinated community approach to improving adolescent health outcomes and strengthened partnerships between Grassroot Soccer and local stakeholders in Kawama.
Working together for healthier and stronger communities through SKILLZ health interventions.
