By Oscar Kapindula, YMCA Zambia
Change Agent Cohort 6
My journey as a Change Agent has been truly transformative. I have seen the power of platforms and youth-led community initiatives. From Subject 2 Citizen to Change Agent, I have been empowered with the right tools, skills, and platform to participate in change management. The mindset transformation and practical skills I’ve gained have taken my work and role in community transformation to another level.
Building skills for impact
Among many well-tailored topics like communication, leadership, and advocacy, I gained confidence and skills to communicate effectively, build partnerships, and work collaboratively with others to tackle local challenges. Tools like project planning and systems thinking templates helped me understand complex issues from the root, inspiring both a holistic and sustainable approach to finding solutions.
During assignments involving community projects, I was able to apply the knowledge of Human Centered Design Thinking, which pushed me to think creatively and collaborate with others in solving different problems rather than working in isolation or imposing solutions on the community.
Our mentors and expert trainers not only equipped us with knowledge and tools for positive change but also created a safe space necessary for personal discovery, networking, guidance, and support every step of the way.
Creating change in my community
After years of tolerating crime perpetrated by young people called ‘junkies’, I worked closely as a Change Agent with community members and law enforcement agencies to make significant progress in bringing sanity to my community. We continue to explore more initiatives while leveraging existing ones to empower young people to contribute to both their personal and community development rather than becoming junkies or otherwise.
I have never been this confident about positive impact. As our Programme Manager once said, “Even one life impacted is a huge difference.”
Are you passionate about making a difference in any way possible? I encourage you to join the YMCA community. Let’s work together in creating a world where everyone lives at peace with self, others, and the planet.
Oscar Kapindula is a Programme Facilitator at YMCA Zambia and a member of World YMCA Change Agent Cohort 6. He has seven years of YMCA volunteer experience and is passionate about youth and community development.