How we started
Youth Response Social Change (YRSC) is a Youth NGO registered in 2013 with the Registrar General and its registration number is TR/INC 5938. YRSC is also registered with National Youth Council of Malawi, Council for Non-Governmental Organisation in Malawi (CONGOMA) and the NGO Regulatory Authority (NGORA). Our offices are in Nayuchi in Machinga district.
YRSC originated in 2010 as a drama group, addressing the critical issues of HIV/AIDS and sexual violence against children, including rape and defilement. The organization was founded by a group of like-minded young individuals deeply concerned about the prevalence of sexual violence and its impact on children and society. Recognizing the challenges posed by unprotected sex, cultural norms, and harmful practices promoting child sexual violence, the group aimed to advocate against sexual and gender-based violence at community level. At that time, many vulnerable people, especially girls and women in the area, were unable to identify violence and consequently did not report it. The group believed that leveraging drama could effectively influence positive behavioural change by easily conveying messages through edutainment.
Our Vision
A society where every girl, every woman, every youth feel safe, accounted for and empowered.
Our Mission
To unleash the social and economic leadership of girls, women, and youth through human centered approaches.
Key Priority Areas
Ending gender-based violence, Promoting Youth Education, Promoting Sexual, Reproductive Health and Rights, Promoting Governance & Human Rights.
Primary Beneficiaries
We primarily serve the young people, especially adolescent girls and young women, including teen mothers. We also serve adolescent boys and young men. We target youths in-school and out of school youths.
Stakeholders
We collaborate with government officials at district council levels including the District Health Management Team; the District Education Office; and the Council Secretariat. We also collaborate with donors and likeminded civil society organisations through the District Civil Society Network.
At community level, we engage with traditional and religious leaders, and community structures including Area Development Committees (ADCs); Village Development Committees (VDCs); Village Health Committees; Community Victim Support Committees; Police Victim Support Units; School Management Committees; Mother Groups; and Parent-Teacher Associations.
Our Team
We have a board of directors comprising seven members, three males and four females. Our secretariat has six officers including the Executive Director, Programs Manager, Finance Officer, Gender Officer, Youth officer, Communication Officer and Office Assistant. We have also over fifty community volunteers, representing young men and Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYWs) from diverse backgrounds. Our team has vast experience working with communities in Machinga district and good rapport with other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), and government stakeholders. Implementation of the programmes is done through the Youth Hubs and volunteers.
Leadership
Guided by passion and dedication, our NGO's leadership is committed to steering the course toward positive change. With a vision for empowered youth and an unwavering commitment to ending child marriages, our leaders inspire impactful initiatives for a brighter future.
Lamecks Kiyare
Executive Director
Lamecks is a visionary leader passionately dedicated to advancing youth-centric social change. With a wealth of experience, strategic acumen, and a heart for empowering communities, Lamecks guides our organization towards Its vision and Mission
Hidjil Kalinde
M & E Manager
As our Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Hidjil oversees strategic initiatives aimed at catalyzing youth-driven community engagement, documenting rights violations related to gender-based violence and early marriages in Nayuchi and surrounding areas.
Agness Munthali
Programmes Manager
Agness directs initiatives to engage youth, combat gender-based violence, and end early marriages in Nayuchi by 2026. Also, she empowers young women through education for socio-economic upliftment and expands access to sexual reproductive health resources