The Spark That Lit a Movement:
A Decade of Copper Rose Zambia
Ten years ago, it began with a whisper, a quiet, persistent voice that refused to be silenced. At the University of Zambia’s Ridgeway Campus, medical student Dr. Natasha Salifyanji Kaoma was juggling textbooks while confronting a truth many chose to ignore: the silent crisis of menstrual poverty. Alongside her sister, Faith Kaoma Kabeleka, she co-founded Copper Rose Zambia (CRZ) as a response to this deeply personal yet widespread issue.
You may wonder what inspired these vibrant young women. Dr. Natasha’s menstrual cycle began at age 15, considered a delayed debut. She describes this as a blessing in disguise, giving her first-hand insight into the challenges girls face.
“It opened my eyes to the quiet suffering so many girls endure in silence,” Dr. Natasha recalls.
In a country where over 60% live below the poverty line, menstruation is more than a biological reality; it is a barrier. Girls miss school, drop out, and lose confidence, lacking access to basic menstrual products and the safe spaces needed to talk about their health.
“We saw a gap. There was no space where young people could access accurate health information, feel supported, or be empowered to take charge of their lives,” recalls Faith.
Natasha and Faith believed Zambia’s greatest resource isn’t copper, as it is known for, but its youth, and with the right tools, they could transform their lives and the continent.
In 2015, period poverty was deeply entrenched in Zambia. With the majority living below the poverty line, managing menstruation with dignity was a luxury for many adolescent girls. Lack of access to menstrual products, coupled with stigma and absence of dignified spaces, led to school absenteeism and permanent dropouts.
With just $300 raised through door-to-door donations and a small group of passionate peers from the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University, Faith and Natasha launched their first campaign: CandidPride. It was bold, raw, and unapologetically honest. They held workshops in underserved communities, taught girls how to make reusable sanitary pads, and went door-to-door to break the silence around menstruation. Funding was scarce, and with limited resources, every activity required immense creativity and determination.
“The early days were not easy. We were a small team with limited resources facing cultural resistance, but we were driven by the belief that young people deserve better,” Faith recalls.
That fire led Faith to rural villages like Lubombo, where she personally helped a young girl return to school after dropping out due to period poverty. These stories—intimate, painful, and powerful—became the heartbeat of CRZ.
From the beginning, partnerships have been the backbone of CRZ’s growth. Their very first donor was FRIDA | The Young Feminist Fund, a pivotal moment that gave life to the organisation’s vision. Locally, they secured partnerships that included ActionAid Zambia and the Rotaract Club of Lusaka. These organisations believed in the CRZ mission when it was still just an idea, and their support enabled the organisation to weather the storms and keep pushing forward.
One of the most transformative partnerships was with Bauleni United Sports Academy (BUSA), led by Fred Kangwa. Reflecting on BUSA’s collaboration with CRZ, Fred shares:
“When Copper Rose Zambia approached us with the idea of sewing sanitary pads, it was a fantastic initiative. It not only provided a much-needed resource for young girls but also empowered them with skills.”
CRZ is now supported by a growing network of funders and partners like the US government, Melinda Gates and other foundations like Hewlett and Packard.
Just last year, in 2024, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, CRZ operated in over 50 districts, across 42 health facilities, and reached over 400 communities. This expansive footprint enabled CRZ to launch Adolescent Wellness Days in 14 districts, reaching over 7,900 adolescents and young people with essential health services. These wellness days have become a cornerstone of their youth-centred approach, offering supportive environments for young people to access health information, care and support.
Beyond service delivery, CRZ has been instrumental in championing youth participation in community health governance. Over 1,000 young people are now actively involved in Neighbourhood Health Committees (NHCs), helping shape local health priorities and ensuring the voices of the next generation are heard.
CRZ also celebrated a significant milestone with the graduation of their first cohort of the Campus Corps Fellowship, a work-readiness programme designed to equip young people with practical skills and experience. Impressively, over 80% of graduates from the programme have successfully transitioned into their first jobs.
In recognition of their impact, CRZ was honoured with the CEO’s Youth Impact Award 2025, hosted by Absa Bank Zambia.
Looking back, their journey has been marked by both innovation and compassion. By 2018, through their menstrual hygiene programs, they had donated over 100,000 sanitary pads, restoring dignity and confidence to thousands of girls across Zambia.
What started as a grassroots initiative quickly grew into a national movement. Celebrating 10 years of impact, CRZ has reached over 600,000 young people across all ten provinces of Zambia, empowering them with knowledge, tools, and opportunities for healthier, more dignified lives. From menstrual health to sexual and reproductive rights, from leadership development to digital innovation, CRZ has become Zambia’s leading youth-led organisation, driving positive change.
This anniversary is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action. On Friday, 5th December 2025, CRZ will host its 10th Anniversary Gala in Lusaka. The event will bring together government leaders, corporate partners, development agencies, and youth advocates to reflect on progress and chart the path forward.
This year’s gala carries a special mission: raising ZMW 100,000 for renovating two safe houses for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Lusaka and Chipata. In partnership with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), CRZ is committed to creating secure, dignified spaces where young girls can heal, rebuild, and thrive.
“This cause is close to our hearts; we want to ensure that every girl who has survived violence has a secure, dignified space to heal and rebuild her life because she still has a chance at a brighter future,” says Dr. Natasha.
As CRZ looks to the future, its vision remains clear: a Zambia where every young person is happy, healthy, and living to their full potential. The journey that began with two sisters has become a movement, one that continues to grow, inspire, and transform. When young people rise, nations rise with them.
Help CRZ raise ZMW100,000 towards renovating two safe houses for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Lusaka and Chipata.
To donate, contact:
Senior Communications Officer
Sarah. N. Mulenga: +260 972887642
Copper Rose Zambia Headquarters
Reception: +260 953459302
For further information:
www.copperrose.africa
