THE initiative by Bread of Life Church International (BLCI) to help address the deteriorating problem of homeless young people commonly known as ‘junkies’ is a progressive move which deserves acclamation.
According to BLCI lead youth pastor Benjamin Mwape, the church has launched the Joshua Generation Transformation Hub (JG-Transformation Hub), which seeks to find a multisectoral solution to the crisis of junkies.
The project’s first phase targets five communities in Lusaka: Matero, Lilanda, Chaisa, Emmasdale and Garden.
This is crucial because the initiative directly addresses youth transformation at scale, using faith-driven values to instil discipline, hope and purpose among 3,000 young people in its first phase.
By targeting schools and communities, BLCI is positioning itself as a catalyst for social reform, moral renewal, and national development.
This project matters a lot because youth are the backbone of society. Zambia’s population is predominantly young, and empowering them with positive values is critical for the country’s future.
Reforming 3,000 youths in the first phase sets a strong precedent for long-term impact.
As a faith-based organisation, BLCI accentuates evangelism and discipleship, which means the project is not only about moral reform but also spiritual grounding.
This dual approach can help reduce issues like substance abuse, crime, and hopelessness among young people.
By engaging schools and local communities, the initiative ensures inclusivity and sustainability. It creates a ripple effect where reformed youths influence peers, families and neighbourhoods.
Notwithstanding the significance of the project, reforming 3,000 youths is ambitious; sustaining momentum into later phases will require resources and partnerships.
While evangelism is central, balancing faith-based teachings with broader social needs will ensure wider acceptance.
Success must be measured not only in numbers but in tangible behavioural and societal changes.
And targeting Matero, Lilanda, Chaisa, Emmasdale and Garden in Lusaka in the first phase is strategically noteworthy because these communities represent diverse urban populations where social challenges and opportunities for transformation are most visible.
These areas are home to large numbers of young people, many of whom face unemployment, peer pressure and limited access to mentorship. Reforming 3,000 youths in these areas lays a strong foundation for broader impact.
The broader significance of this youth transformation inventiveness is that BLCI has already established itself as a beacon of hope and support in Zambia, with strong evangelistic and community development programmes.
This youth reform initiative aligns with its vision of “bringing tens of thousands” into transformation and discipleship.
If successful, it could serve as a model for other churches and organisations across Africa, demonstrating how faith-based institutions can drive social change at scale.
We urge other organisations to emulate BLCI because its evangelistic youth reform ingenuity demonstrates a holistic, community-centred and scalable model for addressing the growing problem of substance abuse and “junkies” in Lusaka and beyond.
By combining spiritual renewal with social support, the church is tackling root causes of addiction while offering hope, mentorship, and reintegration opportunities.
BLCI has shown that addressing the “junkie” crisis is not only a government responsibility but a shared societal mission.
If other organisations – faithbased, civic or private – adopt similar models, Zambia could see a nationwide movement that transforms thousands of lives.
This is about more than fighting drugs; it is about restoring hope, dignity and purpose to a generation at risk.
‘Junkies’ crisis ticking time bomb indeed
THE initiative by Bread of Life Church International (BLCI) to help address the deteriorating problem of homeless young people commonly known as ‘junkies’ is a progressive move which deserves acclamation.
According to BLCI lead youth pastor Benjamin Mwape, the church has launched the Joshua Generation Transformation Hub (JG-Transformation Hub), which seeks to find a multisectoral solution to the crisis of junkies.
The project’s first phase targets five communities in Lusaka: Matero, Lilanda, Chaisa, Emmasdale and Garden.
This is crucial because the initiative directly addresses youth transformation at scale, using faith-driven values to instil discipline, hope and purpose among 3,000 young people in its first phase.
By targeting schools and communities, BLCI is positioning itself as a catalyst for social reform, moral renewal, and national development.
This project matters a lot because youth are the backbone of society. Zambia’s population is predominantly young, and empowering them with positive values is critical for the country’s future.
Reforming 3,000 youths in the first phase sets a strong precedent for long-term impact.
As a faith-based organisation, BLCI accentuates evangelism and discipleship, which means the project is not only about moral reform but also spiritual grounding.
This dual approach can help reduce issues like substance abuse, crime, and hopelessness among young people.
By engaging schools and local communities, the initiative ensures inclusivity and sustainability. It creates a ripple effect where reformed youths influence peers, families and neighbourhoods.
Notwithstanding the significance of the project, reforming 3,000 youths is ambitious; sustaining momentum into later phases will require resources and partnerships.
While evangelism is central, balancing faith-based teachings with broader social needs will ensure wider acceptance.
Success must be measured not only in numbers but in tangible behavioural and societal changes.
And targeting Matero, Lilanda, Chaisa, Emmasdale and Garden in Lusaka in the first phase is strategically noteworthy because these communities represent diverse urban populations where social challenges and opportunities for transformation are most visible.
These areas are home to large numbers of young people, many of whom face unemployment, peer pressure and limited access to mentorship. Reforming 3,000 youths in these areas lays a strong foundation for broader impact.
The broader significance of this youth transformation inventiveness is that BLCI has already established itself as a beacon of hope and support in Zambia, with strong evangelistic and community development programmes.
This youth reform initiative aligns with its vision of “bringing tens of thousands” into transformation and discipleship.
If successful, it could serve as a model for other churches and organisations across Africa, demonstrating how faith-based institutions can drive social change at scale.
We urge other organisations to emulate BLCI because its evangelistic youth reform ingenuity demonstrates a holistic, community-centred and scalable model for addressing the growing problem of substance abuse and “junkies” in Lusaka and beyond.
By combining spiritual renewal with social support, the church is tackling root causes of addiction while offering hope, mentorship, and reintegration opportunities.
BLCI has shown that addressing the “junkie” crisis is not only a government responsibility but a shared societal mission.
If other organisations – faithbased, civic or private – adopt similar models, Zambia could see a nationwide movement that transforms thousands of lives.
This is about more than fighting drugs; it is about restoring hope, dignity and purpose to a generation at risk.