Derick Tsimba
Minister of Youth, Art and Sports, Kirsty Coventry yesterday toured the Hopley project in Harare where a clinic and a youth centre are under construction.
On its Twitter handle, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said the Minister toured the project and was briefed about the various developmental programs being offered to youths by UNFPA and the Swedish Embassy.
“Minister of Youth, Kirsty Coventry, toured the Hopley project where a clinic and a youth centre are under construction which will help provide health services and provide a safe space for young people to meet and offers various youth development programs and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).
“Young people shared stories of how their lives have been changed through the Hopley project with Minister of Youth Kirsty Coventry, Sweden Ambassador to Zimbabwe Sofia Calltorp and other dignitaries in Hopley. 100 youths have been trained in SRHR and various areas such as plumbing, building, paving and are now self sustaining.
“The goal of the Hopley project is to increase access to employment, SRHR information and services for young people to support young people to lead healthy, productive lives through reducing unwanted pregnancies, early marriages, HIV and creating employment opportunities,” said UNFPA.
Sweden Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Sofia Callorp said jobs and SRHR facilities were key to a healthy young population and a sustainable future in Zimbabwe.
“Sweden has taken a role in creating jobs while building a new health clinic and youth centre in Hopley. Today I am in Hopley in the outskirts of Harare together with collegues from UNFPA and the International Labour Organization (ILO), here Sweden supports the establishment of a health centre for youth and in particular for young women, in doing so we also provide skills training and employment opportunities for young professionals. Employment and access to health are fundamental rights and a key to a sustainable future in Zimbabwe and therefore I am very proud that Sweden supports the youths in Hopley for this project,” she said.
