Copper Rose Zambia (CRZ) proudly participated in the 8th RHNK Pan-African AYSRHR Scientific Conference, held from June 24th to 27th in Mombasa, Kenya. This influential gathering brought together youth leaders, health advocates, and development partners from across Africa to advance adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights (AYSRHR).
A standout moment for CRZ was the participation of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Natasha Salifyanji Kaoma, in a high-level 60-minute plenary session on June 26th. The session, titled “Empowering Africa’s Future: Africa CDC Strategy on Youth Engagement and Opportunities for Youth in Global Health,” was hosted in partnership with Africa CDC Youth and the Reproductive Health Network Kenya.
Dr. Natasha brought her deep expertise and passion for youth empowerment to the discussion, offering strategic insights on how to meaningfully engage young people in shaping Africa’s health future. During the session, she reflected on a powerful question posed by the audience: “What does it take to scale a youth-led organisation?”
Drawing from CRZ’s inspiring journey, from reaching just over 500 people in 2015 to impacting more than 600,000 individuals by 2024, Dr. Natasha shared three key lessons:
1. Invest in Yourself
Before you seek capacity building, focus on yourself. Read. Learn. Grow. Develop the leadership skills and strategic mindset necessary to bring your vision to life.
2. Stand on the Shoulders of Giants
“Scaling isn’t about starting from scratch. It’s about building on the foundations others have laid, working in consortia, learning from mentors, adapting proven models, and leveraging collective wisdom. (Yes, Isaac Newton said it best.)”
3. Be Accountable
“Accountability isn’t optional. It’s the difference between short-term funding and long-term trust. Youth organisations must be audit-ready, governance-conscious, and driven by impact, not optics. Scaling is not about business class flights or flashy cars; it’s about systems, sustainability, and service.”
Dr. Natasha’s insights reflect CRZ’s unwavering commitment to not only delivering impactful programs but also empowering other youth-led organisations with the knowledge and tools to scale sustainably.
