About

Prof. Taro Yamauchi

Co-Founder

It is my pleasure to warmly welcome you to Dziko Langa Zambia. Dziko Langa means “Our Community”, and this platform truly belongs to the children and youth of Zambia who believe that their voices, ideas, and actions can change their communities for the better.

Dziko Langa was founded with a simple yet powerful goal: to empower children and young people to actively participate in shaping the health and future of their communities. Our focus is on water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management, recognizing these as the foundations of healthier lives and stronger societies.

This vision is not new—it resonates with the aspirations of many communities across Africa and aligns with the global movement for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). What makes Dziko Langa unique is that it is child- and youth-led. Here, young people are not just beneficiaries of development; they are leaders, decision-makers, and active change agents.

Through education, engagement, and practical interventions, we provide a platform where children and youth can learn, innovate, and advocate for better health outcomes. Whether it is promoting safe water use, raising awareness about hygiene, or addressing the challenges of waste management in peri-urban areas, Dziko Langa encourages young leaders to think critically, act responsibly, and inspire others.

As patron, I am humbled to see how these young voices are shaping conversations and influencing decisions in spaces where they were once silent. Their determination and creativity reflect the future of Africa, which is resilient, innovative, and inclusive. With more than three decades of experience working across Africa, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of investing in children and youth. Dziko Langa embodies this investment, creating a space where hope, leadership, and action come together.

Together, let us empower the next generation to dream boldly, lead with courage, and create a Zambia—and a world—where every child and young person can prosper, regardless of background or status.

Dr. Sikopo Nyambe

Co-Founder

Dziko Langa was officially opened to its first members on August 1, 2017, but its story began even earlier. Before my PhD, I had started an NGO called Youth4Youth with the belief that Zambia’s greatest strength lies in its young people. With youth making up the largest share of our population, I believed that if those who had passed through education could give back, whether by teaching literacy, mentoring, or volunteering, they could build both themselves and their communities.

That idea grew deeper during my Master’s studies, when I encountered Participatory Action Research (PAR). I was drawn to its emphasis on action and collaboration: not only gathering data, but working with communities to create solutions. Dziko Langa was born out of this conviction: that children and youth could be equal partners in building healthier, more resilient communities.

Starting this journey has not been simple. Many young people we work with live in settings where mindsets are deeply shaped by aid and expectations of external support. Changing that narrative is ongoing work; not a fairytale, but a process. At Dziko Langa, we are learning together, step by step, what it means for children and youth to take part in shaping their own futures rather than waiting for solutions from outside.

I remember the day we sat together to choose the name Dziko Langa, meaning ‘My Community’. It was more than a name; it was a statement of identity and ownership. That moment captured what Dziko Langa is about: creating a platform where children and youth can see themselves not as passive recipients, but as leaders, partners, and contributors to society. Our slogan, ‘Tigwilizane’, faithful to its meaning, is our call for everyone to come together and unite towards this cause. 

My hope is that Dziko Langa continues to grow into a space where young people discover their strength, where communities recognize their value, and where partners and supporters walk alongside us in this unfolding journey. Together, we can build a healthier, more hopeful Zambia.To every child, every youth, every supporter who has walked with us:
Thank you for your support through this journey. We see you!