Gemma Munday is the International Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Restless Development. Last Autumn she visited our programmes in Zimbabwe and Zambia, where she captured these inspiring stories.
Stories motivate, educate, inspire, challenge, and ultimately remind us we are human. Stories come in many different forms. A photo alone can provide a snapshot of someone’s story, capturing something unique and imprinting a picture in our minds.
When visiting Zambia and Zimbabwe I collected images and quotes from some of the people I met, to share with you a glimpse of their stories. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I’ll let these photos guide you through my vibrant journey, and introduce you to some brilliant young people doing some pretty cool things. Hopefully they will leave you smiling.
“I love helping others so I would love to be a Restless Development volunteer.” Talent, 18, is a member of our layer hens project in Zimbabwe, which trains orphans and vulnerable young people in entrepreneurship skills. The young people then use the profits from their business to pay for their school fees. (PC Restless Development/ Bad Rabbit Studios)
Community journalists Purity and Andrew recording a show at KNC radio station, as part of the Tikambe project. Tikambe! (Let’s Talk!) is a joint BBC Media Action and Restless Development project in Zambia using TV, radio and online media to help young people look after their sexual health and improve their knowledge of their reproductive rights. (PC Restless Development/ Gemma Munday)
A young volunteer on our Tikembe! (Let’s talk!) programme leading a sexual reproductive health & rights session in Mwashi Primary School, Zambia. (PC Restless Development/ Gemma Munday)
“The radio station that we are working with is one of the biggest in Kabwe… so it is the easiest way of reaching a large number of people. Once people have knowledge about rape and the psychological effects it has a young person or a victim, they will get to know how they can find help from the hospital, and how they can quickly report it and get support. Now that I’m involved with Restless I have been learning throughout and I’m still learning. It has really changed me.” Purity, 20, community journalist. (PC Restless Development/ Gemma Munday)
A student at St Henry’s Chikurumadziva secondary school and member of our layer hens project, Zimbabwe. (PC Restless Development/ Bad Rabbit Studios)
“Smile!” Students at St Henry’s Chikurumadziva secondary school, Zimbabwe (PC Restless Development/ Bad Rabbit Studios)
“To be an advocate means being a voice for others, and giving people the platform to express their views. Peaceful campaigning means you can be an example for other young people.” Jean, 20, is one of our Advocate for Action volunteers in Zambia. Working in local communities to educate young people about their rights. (PC Restless Development/ Gemma Munday)
I took this photo while teaching a young volunteer photography skills in Zambia. (PC Restless Development/ Gemma Munday)
Innocent is being trained in computer skills. The training takes place at a Youth Resource Center in his village, ran by local Restless Development volunteers. (PC Restless Development/ Gemma Munday)
Talent, 18, Zimbabwe
“Come on – let’s get a photo of us!” Community journalist Purity, 20, interviewing her friend and fellow volunteer as part of the Tikambe project. Tikambe! (Let’s Talk!) is a joint BBC Media Action and Restless Development project in Zambia using TV, radio and online media to help young people look after their sexual health and improve their knowledge of their reproductive rights. (PC Restless Development/ Gemma Munday)
“Even though we had little money it was possible to return to school because of knowing Restless Development. I help feeding the chickens, taking care of them and looking after them. Then we sell the eggs at the market.” Samantha, 15, is also a member of our layer hens project in Zimbabwe. (PC Restless Development/ Bad Rabbit Studios)
