Amos Youth Centre
Empowering communities through locally-driven transformation.
The Work.
The Amos Youth Centre’s mission is to create quality and inclusive education, health, entrepreneurship and leadership development opportunities for vulnerable Zambian youth and women, so they can foster positive change in their communities.
In 2024, we will reach over 6,000 children, youth and women through holistic empowerment programs at the Learning & Leadership Center in Kafue, peer-to-peer initiatives in local schools, and rural outreach.
The Visionaries.
Lumuno Mweemba is the
Co-Founder & Director of Programs. Read her story.
Febby Choombe is the Director of Special Education. Read her story.
Ceasar Samwaka is the Director of Academics & Scholarships. Read his story.
Driven by the challenges they recognized in their communities from a young age, these Visionaries are passionately dedicated to building thriving, inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
AEP’s Role.
In August 2006, African Education Program volunteers, alongside Kafue community leaders and youth members, opened the Amos Youth Centre, a flagship Learning & Leadership Center.
The Center is now locally-led programmatically and operationally. AEP strengthens capacity, supports program development, and assists with financial oversight and resource mobilization, focusing on long-term sustainability through diversified revenue and local income generation.
Together, we’re building thriving communities where children, youth, and women of all abilities become the leaders their communities deserve.
The Amos Youth Centre, a Learning & Leadership Center in Kafue, Zambia, is a thriving hub where children, youth, and women access holistic programming. The Center has created life-changing results since 2006.
In 2024, we will reach over 6,000 children, youth and women:
750 children, youth and women at the Learning
& Leadership Center.
3,000 youth through our Peer-to-Peer Education Program in local schools.
300 rural youth through our Kids Care Initiative
for HIV awareness.
2,000 children through a school infrastructure building project.
The Challenge in Zambia.
of Zambians live in extreme poverty.
50%
of girls become pregnant before 18.
of 15-year-olds meet reading proficiency levels.
30%
5%
of children with disabilities access school.
50%
of children are considered stunted.
30%
Our unique approach.
Environment at the Center
We create an environment where children and youth can dream big, reach their full potential, and become the changemakers their communities deserve.
Depth of Investment in a Child
We commit to a decade+ long investment in a child, starting as early as the age of 5, and create learning and leadership development opportunities past college.
Alumni-driven Organization
Today, the majority of full-time Zambian team members are alumni. Together, they are spearheading community change through our diverse programs.
Today, the Learning & Leadership Center is a community-led, youth-driven organization.
The Center creates quality and inclusive learning, health, entrepreneurship, and leadership development opportunities for promising Zambian youth and women so they can transform their communities.
Young Learners (age 5-10) access play-based learning activities.
7th to 12th graders have quality academic support and holistic programs including health & wellbeing, leadership development, and art & creativity.
The Read for Rose Special Education Program creates individualized learning plans for each child/youth.
A mother accesses a custom-designed, 4-month training program to learn how to start a business or boost the one she already has.
A College Prep student accesses a custom curriculum, career and school choice guidance, and gives back to the center.
College Scholarships cover tuition, room, and board. Students continue to give back at the center during their holidays.
Programs at the Learning & Leadership Center.
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![Two girls laugh during their Young Learners lesson.]()
Young Learners Program
Young learners (ages 5 to 10) have access to daily sessions including basic literacy, math, science, art and team building. Play-based learning and native games are incorporated as much as possible. This is Amos Youth Centre’s newest and fastest growing program in Kafue.
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![Young women and men learn at a computer during a lesson.]()
Quality High School Tutoring
Daily tutoring sessions in all major subjects for 7th to 12th graders improves academic success. In addition to trained teachers, high school graduates in the College Prep Program waiting to go to college volunteer by helping to tutor younger students.
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![A group of College Prep students pose for a photo.]()
College Prep Program
During their gap year, high school graduates have preparatory classes focused on career guidance and college choices, academic writing, note taking, budgeting, study habits, healthy relationships, and other needed life-skills. They also mentor their younger peers through various activities.
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![Febby Choombe, Special Education Advisor and the Director of Special Education at the Amos Youth Centre in Kafue, Zambia shows a notebook to a student in a wheelchair.]()
Special Education Program
Girls and boys with disabilities in our Read for Rose Special Education Program learn the communication and life skills they need to live fulfilled lives while advocating for the changes needed in society so that they have equal access to education and economic empowerment.
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![Young women and men stand in a circle with interlacing hands behind their backs.]()
Leadership Development
Leadership development is woven into all programming. The annual Lifeskill & Leadership Camp focuses on leadership skills and team building. The Leadership & Community Service Club promotes regular skills development and service within the local community.
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![A group of boys and girls pose for a photo and smile.]()
Gender Equity
There is a strong focus on empowering the young women and men through programs focused on equality between boys and girls and women and men as partners, reproductive and health rights, and elimination of gender discrimination and violence.
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![A young woman holds up a reusable menstrual pad and a menstrual cup.]()
Health & Wellbeing
Weekly clubs focus on reproductive and menstrual health, pregnancy prevention, ending HIV stigma, emotional health, self-esteem building, and gender-based violence. All young women receive menstrual health training and a pack of reusable pads and a menstrual cup.
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![Two boys enjoy lunch.]()
Nutrition
To mitigate hunger, daily meals are served to the most undernourished youth. Each day, over 250 youth currently enjoy Nshima or rice and sides of chicken, beans, soya pieces or dried fish with vegetables. Youth tend community gardens that contribute fresh vegetables to this program.
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![A group of mothers pose holding up their graduation caps.]()
Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy
Youth and parents gain knowledge, skills, resources and long-term coaching about starting a new small business or enhancing a current business, financial literacy and planning skills, and entrepreneurial mindset development. Graduates are introduced to savings circles and microloans.
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![A young man shows an abstract painting.]()
The Arts & Creativity
Art Club, Music Club, Drama Club, Culture Club, Dance Club, Creative Club, and Storytelling Club take place weekly promoting new artistic opportunities for personal growth, self-expression, and self-esteem building. These activities unleash the creative potential of Zambia’s youth.
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![A hut with a thatched roof.]()
Rural Outreach Program
The Rural Outreach Program provides the most marginalized girls and boys from the fishing village of Chanyanya access to high school and AYC’s after-school programs. Located about 16 miles from Kafue on the river, education ends in Chanyanya after the 9th grade due to lack of schools.
