The Evolution and Impact of the Youth Mentorship Center (YMC)

From Resource Centre to Realization

The Youth Mentorship Centre (YMC) was born out of a genuine need expressed by mentors—a desire to have a physical space where shared resources, particularly internet access, could be made available to support mentorship work. Before the widespread availability of internet, access to reliable internet was a significant challenge. In response, the idea of a Mentors Resource Centre was introduced in 2023.

However, as the work progressed, a deeper gap began to emerge.

By 2024, when the YMC was formally established, it became evident that while mentorship programs were successfully shaping the character and values of young people, many of the youth were not yet “world ready.” They lacked the practical exposure, skills, and guidance needed to confidently transition into college, university, or the workplace. This realisation marked a turning point.

The Mentors Resource Centre evolved into what is now known as the Youth Mentorship Centre (YMC)—a space intentionally designed to bridge this gap. The YMC became centred around alumni, creating a platform where they could receive targeted training and support to prepare them for the realities of the world beyond school.

Building Pathways Through Partnership

At the heart of the YMC model is access—access to knowledge, tools, and opportunities. The centre provides computer training and Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling young people to apply for scholarships, conduct research, and develop digital literacy skills. Beyond this, the YMC has fostered meaningful stakeholder engagement, inviting professionals—particularly from the local tourism sector—to share real-world experiences with the youth.

These engagements have proven to be transformative.

Through interactions with guest speakers from various hotels and organisations, the YMC has opened doors for practical opportunities such as industrial attachments and on-the-job training. What began as inspirational talks has evolved into tangible pathways for career development.

A significant milestone in this journey was the engagement with the Group Human Resources Manager from Palm Hospitality Hotel. This interaction sparked a strong connection between the institution and the YMC, eventually leading to a formal partnership. As a result, the hotel committed to offering two annual attachment placements for YMC alumni pursuing college and university studies.

This partnership has already begun to bear fruit. One notable success story is that of Thubilihle Sibanda, a Global Sojourn Giving Circle (GSGC) scholarship recipient studying Purchasing and Supply. She secured an attachment in January within the Purchasing Department at Palm Hospitality Hotel. A second student is scheduled to begin their attachment in June, further strengthening this growing collaboration.

These stakeholder engagements affirm a powerful truth: it takes a community to raise a child. The YMC has become a living example of this principle, bringing together mentors, professionals, and institutions to collectively support the growth of young people.

Strengthening the Model and Expanding Impact

In addition to supporting alumni, the YMC has also evolved into a central hub for mentor development. It now hosts regional mentors’ meetings, allowing mentors to gather on a termly basis to share experiences, exchange ideas, and strengthen their approach to mentorship. This has significantly enhanced the cohesion and effectiveness of the broader GSGC network.

The impact of the YMC in Victoria Falls has inspired replication beyond borders. In Zambia, mentors in Livingstone have collaboratively established their own YMC, adopting the same model. This centre now serves as a hub for three key thematic areas: the Alumni Club, Mentors’ Meeting Space, and Stakeholder Engagements.

The Youth Mentorship Centre (YMC) in Zambia, brings together both the Friends of Change and Believe Girls Club into one shared space for mentorship, learning, and growth. It has become a safe and welcoming place where our alumni can meet, socialize, learn, and continue growing personally and professionally while building strong friendships and unity as one community.

Through the YMC, we have been able to collaborate with organizations such as Youth Alive Zambia, the Drug Enforcement Commission, Zoe Memorial Foundation, and ABSA Bank through the Ready to Work program. Many of our young people have completed learning modules and received certificates that have added value to their CVs and prepared them for future opportunities.

The YMC has also created visibility for our work, allowing stakeholders and partners to visit and support our programs. Through these partnerships, four girls received sponsorship for their entire high school education, and we continue to build relationships with other organizations interested in supporting young people and working alongside us.

For mentors in Zambia, the YMC also serves as a shared meeting place for regional meetings, collaboration, and community activities. With access to computers and a large learning space, the centre continues to provide opportunities for digital literacy, leadership development, and mentorship for many young people.

As the YMC has taken root in both Zimbabwe and Zambia, it has also begun addressing practical administrative challenges within the GSGC network. One notable contribution is its role in managing aspects of the scholarship program, including receiving and facilitating school fees payments. This has reduced the administrative burden on GSGC while improving efficiency and accountability at the local level.

A Bridge Between Mentorship and the World

The Youth Mentorship Centre has grown from a simple idea into a transformative model that strengthens mentorship, empowers youth, and connects communities. It has become more than just a physical space—it is a bridge between potential and opportunity, between mentorship and real-world readiness.

Through its continued evolution, the YMC stands as a powerful reminder that sustainable impact is achieved not only through guidance, but through creating systems that support young people to thrive long after mentorship ends.