Trendy Culture and Youth Community丨Amanda Makombe: Turning creative passion into lasting livelihoods

2026 Acceleration Week for Global Youth Development   

Amanda Makombe, a young woman from Zimbabwe, is the founder and creative strategist of the Kumbekumbe Arts Fund. In response to social issues in Zimbabwe such as youth unemployment and substance abuse, the fund launched the "Creative Clubs" program. The program is dedicated to driving the development of the creative economy. Through a Creative Apprenticeship program, it helps young people learn and engage in creative activities such as painting, dance, and storytelling, fostering their creative capacities and building livelihood skills.

Since its implementation, the program has directly benefited over 700 youth, 65% of whom are young women from marginalized communities. It has delivered 300 creative sessions, 20 community showcases, 10 public murals, and 5 collaborative exhibitions. Furthermore, 78% of participants reported a significant improvement in self-expression and self-confidence; 40 participants have grown into peer mentors, and 40 creatives have generated income through commissioned works, performances, and art sales. The program has also reached an online audience of over 5,000 and was invited to participate in the FACE Festival in Manchester, UK. It is currently planning to establish community art centers nationwide.

Makombe believes that youth should embrace diverse cultures to ignite innovative ideas. "Each of us holds a wealth of stories from our own nations, and it's imperative that we share them with the international community. This is not just about offering local perspectives but also providing a global viewpoint."

(editor: Tang Ruohan)

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