More than 300 young boys in Epworth, Harare have benefited from a fun run event and a sports tournament which was organized by Teen Rescue Mission (TRM) together with Boys Engage, which was meant to amplify the voice of the boy child, to champion empowerment initiatives and to raise awareness about issues of drug and substance abuse.
The event was held on 17 May 2025 in Epworth and was part of celebrating the International Day of the boy child which is observed annually on 16 May.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, TRM Director Abraham Matuka vowed their organization’s commitment to the empowerment of a boy child saying that communities have become ignorant to issues faced by a boy child by putting more attention to a girl child.
“We are so excited that this event has drawn a large number of boys from Epworth and Chitungwiza to run and to engage in meaningful dialogues. There has been a rise in young boys committing suicide and after doing research we have joined hands with Boys Engage to organize and event particularly for young boys.
“We realised that boys have no meaningful open spaces for them to speak their challenges and express their concerns as compared to a girl child. This event was meant to create an environment for them to speak their issues as we listen to them and embrace them, this is one of the ways we are also using to fight drug and substance abuse among the boys as we thrive to create harmony among families,” said Matuka.
The Boys Engage patron Gillian Rusike expressed that there are inequalities in societies that need to be addressed especially on issues to do with advocacy and the protection of boys and girls rights.
“This initiative has been pushed by a situation whereby the boy child is being left behind while the girl child is being empowered to be above. For example, you can see young girls having nice smartphones while boys have nothing and this is causing an inequality. So, we have come with this programme in order to challenge boys to be positive, look after themselves and to encourage themselves to work since they are the fathers of our tomorrow,” he said.
Some of the boys who benefited from that programme expressed their excitement while revealing that they felt remembered and that their rights and concerns have been prioritized.
“Today we are happy that as boys we have been remembered. We were given an opportunity to express the challenges that we face as boys. As young as we are, we are faced with many challenges that if not addressed will lead many of us into doing bad things.
“I want to thank Teen Rescue Mission and Boys Engage who have managed to bring this wonderful programme to us, surely we learnt a lot,” said 14-year-old Blessing Chikuvanyanga who took part in the marathon session.
Tinashe Mazunza a 22-year-old man from Epworth also said “This day is a day we will always remember, it has brought excitement in our lives. Usually, the boy child gets less attention in families and in our communities. When we have issues, we do not have our voices really heard and at the end you will see us getting into drugs because we think that it is a better way for us to feel relieved,” he said.
Benard Moyo added that “Sometimes as young people we do things which are harmful to us because of lack of knowledge. This event has brought a positive mindset education to our communities. We have been educated about the dangers of abusing drugs. Also, we were taught to speak out and to openly seek assistance when we are faced with mental health challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile one of the parents in Epworth Grace Mupanze cherished the initiative saying that the event was timely since it managed to educate young people about living a positive and a hopeful life.
“As parents we are so thankful to this program, it has really targeted the real issues affecting our community. Remembering young boys today is something that we need to keep doing.
“Here in Epworth young boys as early as 10 years old they are already getting out of hand, some getting into drugs and substance abuse, and crime. The situation is so bad and stressful to us as parents. I had to come out in person to support the programme and i want to applaud Teen Rescue Mission and Boys Engage for this programme. We believe that our boys have learned and there will be a change in Epworth,” she said.
More than 300 boys who attended the event were given washing buckets and toiletries as a way of promoting hygiene in the community.
The event garnered support from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Brass and Instrumental Band, Zimbabwe Youth Council, Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Medical Team which was providing free medical services to the people of Epworth.
