"Building Dreams, Changing Communities"

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About Ascend Futures Foundation

At Ascend Futures Foundation (AFF), we believe in the boundless potential of young people to drive meaningful change. As a dynamic non-profit organization based in Zambia, we are dedicated to youth empowerment, leadership development, and sustainable community transformation. Through advocacy, capacity building, research, mentorship, and hands-on engagement, we equip young people with the skills, opportunities, and support they need to thrive and become catalysts for progress.

Our Mission

To empower youth and communities to work towards equitable access to economic opportunities, education, and healthcare through:

  • Advocacy – Amplifying youth voices in policy and decision-making.

  • Capacity Building – Strengthening skills for employability and leadership.

  • Research & Innovation – Using data-driven solutions to tackle social challenges.

  • Mentorship – Guiding young people toward personal and professional growth.

  • Community Engagement – Fostering inclusive, grassroots-driven development.

Our Vision

A Zambia where all individuals, regardless of background, have fair access to opportunity, education, and healthcare, leading to stronger communities and better health outcomes.

Our Story: From Vision to Impact

Founded in 2017 by two passionate HIV-prevention advocates, one from Malawi and the other from Zambia, AFF began as a small initiative to support vulnerable adolescent girls through education and mentorship. Recognising that true empowerment requires inclusivity, we expanded to include boys and young men, ensuring entire communities could benefit.

AFF was formally registered as a non-profit organisation by 2024, with a growing team of changemakers, deepening our commitment to youth-driven development across Zambia and beyond.

Why We Do It

Every young person deserves the chance to rise above barriers and shape their future. We believe that when youth are equipped, inspired, and included, they become the strongest force for sustainable progress.

Our Key Focus Areas

1. Climate Change & Health Integration

Embedding climate resilience into public health strategies
We advocate for policies that address the intersection of climate change and health, ensuring communities are prepared for climate-related health risks while strengthening healthcare systems' sustainability.

2. HIV/AIDS & Social-Environmental Safeguards

Protecting vulnerable populations through holistic support
We strengthen social and environmental protections to mitigate the impacts of HIV/AIDS, focusing on at-risk groups through education, stigma reduction, and community-based care initiatives.

3. Mobile Health Outreach & Comprehensive Care

Bringing healthcare to underserved communities
Through targeted outreach programs, we deliver essential health services - including prevention, testing, and treatment - to remote and marginalised populations, ensuring no one is left behind.

4. Youth Empowerment through Mentorship

Building the next generation of leaders
We provide structured mentorship, life skills training, and career guidance to equip young people with the tools they need to succeed personally, professionally, and as change-makers.

5. Gender Equity in Healthcare Access

Breaking barriers for women and girls
We champion inclusive healthcare programs that prioritise gender equity, ensuring women and girls have equal access to services, education, and opportunities for better health outcomes.

Join Us in Building a Brighter Future

At AFF, we’re not just changing lives, we’re transforming systems. Through mentorship, advocacy, and grassroots action, we’re working toward a Zambia where every individual can thrive.

Together, let’s create a future of equity, opportunity, and hope.