Blesser Breakers

Blesser Breakers is on a mission to address the pervasive issue of cross-generational relationships and combat the sexual exploitation of children, with a specific focus on girls in grades 8-10 in Zambia. The main challenge we are tackling involves adults, colloquially known as "Blessers," engaging in exploitative relationships with young girls and boys, providing money and gifts in exchange for sex. These Blessers, having a history of multiple sexual partners, pose a high risk for transmitting HIV to minors. The vulnerability of young girls in such relationships increases the risk of unplanned pregnancies and often forces them to drop out of school.

In Zambia, while existing sexual health education programs cover various age groups and genders, our intervention, the Sugar Daddy Awareness program, is uniquely targeted at grade 8-10 girls. This age group is crucial as it marks a pivotal stage in understanding the dangers associated with adult-child predatory sexual relationships. Shockingly, statistics in Zambia reveal that 5% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 and 11% of young women aged 20-24 are living with HIV, underscoring the urgency of our focused approach.

Our programming aims to empower adolescent girls to reject risky relationships, influence cultural norms within their communities, and address the specific needs of girls in a healthier manner. By providing information and support, we anticipate that these girls will be equipped to identify and resist cross-generational dating, thereby reducing their vulnerability to HIV and unwanted pregnancies.

Successfully implemented in five schools, the Sugar Daddy Awareness program has reached over 500 girls. The impact is not confined to the individual level; we aspire to build a community of resistance against exploitative relationships. As we reach a critical mass, our focus will shift to advocacy work aimed at policy change to protect young girls. Additionally, we plan to incorporate skills-based training, such as entrepreneurship and financial literacy boot camps, into our programming to further empower girls.

In alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, Blesser Breakers targets specific indicators: Goal 3.7 (Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services), Goal 4.7 (Ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development), Goal 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls), and Goal 5.6 (Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights). By strategically targeting the critical age group and combining awareness programs with advocacy and skills-based training, Blesser Breakers is committed to breaking the cycle of exploitative relationships, empowering young girls, and contributing to the broader societal goals of health, education, and gender equality.

In sub-Saharan Africa, where unwanted pregnancies and HIV infections can quickly derail a girl's chance to escape poverty, our efforts align with the United Nations' broader mission to ensure healthy lives, inclusive and equitable education, and gender equality. Through our comprehensive approach, we aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of young girls in Zambia and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Blesser Breakers is actively involved in an iterative process to enhance and tailor our programming for maximum impact, and we are currently focused on the implementation of community-based participatory research  (CBPR) and a human-centered design (HCD) approach. This approach, distinct from our earlier initiatives like the Sara Communication Initiative, involves engaging participants, especially adolescent girls, in all stages of the research process, ensuring their voices shape our future interventions in addressing the exploitative adult-child relationships. 

In our initial pilot during the summer of 2022, we successfully partnered with five schools in Western Province, Zambia, reaching over 500 girls. The Sara Communication Initiative, a crucial component of our program, featured a 15-minute animated video (or a comic book reading when technology was not available). This content served as a catalyst for discussions during the subsequent 75 minutes of facilitated activities, empowering Grade 8 girls to navigate questions and take specific actions against exploitative situations.

Building on this success, we are now actively working on the CBPR and HCD project to refine our approach and adapt to the evolving needs of the communities we serve. This project involves conducting focus groups with adolescent girls to gain deeper insights into their perspectives on sugar daddy relationships and the factors contributing to their involvement. This valuable information is being analyzed to identify the root causes of these relationships and develop hypotheses for effective intervention strategies.

As part of our iterative process, we are incorporating the Sara Communication Initiative's solution within the broader context of the project. While the Sara Communication Initiative has been a fundamental aspect of our previous work, the  CBPR and HCD project represents a new and strategic step forward. This approach ensures that the solutions we develop are not only evidence-based but also actively shaped by the lived experiences and perspectives of the girls we aim to support.

The ongoing  CBPR and HCD project, with its focus on active engagement and participation, extends beyond research into the actual implementation of interventions. The goal is to create a sustainable and impactful solution that resonates with the target audience. The Sara Communication Initiative's content continues to be a key element within this larger strategy, reinforcing the importance of multimedia and interactive tools in conveying critical information.

Through this iterative process, Blesser Breakers is committed to refining and adapting our programs to create meaningful and lasting change. We recognize the importance of being responsive to the dynamic needs of the communities we serve, and our current strategic focus reflects our dedication to maximizing impact through continuous improvement and innovation.

Blesser Breakers' classroom initiative is dedicated to serving a very specific and vulnerable demographic: grade 8-10 girls in Zambia. This age group, typically comprising girls aged 12-16, is at a critical juncture in their lives, where they are particularly susceptible to external influences stemming from their relationships. These young girls are in a formative stage, still developing socially, psychologically, and physically, making them more receptive to the dynamics of the world around them.

Predatory adult-child sexual relationships put these young girls at an elevated risk of contracting HIV, primarily because they often find themselves in situations where they are unable to engage in safe sex practices with older adult men and this significantly heightens their vulnerability to HIV and unwanted pregnancies. At an age when they are still forming their understanding of relationships and sexual health, having access to critical information about these risks can be a game-changer. Blesser Breakers' initiative empowers them with this knowledge at an early stage, thereby significantly reducing the incidence of new HIV infections among young girls and women.

One of the key aspects of the problem is that young girls, like many others, face difficulties in accessing sexual and reproductive health services due to various barriers. Stigma, unequal gender norms, lack of resources, and concerns about privacy loss often deter them from seeking the assistance they need. Blesser Breakers addresses these challenges by actively involving the guidance offices in schools, ensuring that all the girls have access to the vital information and services they require.

After participating in the initiative, these girls will be equipped to recognize what constitutes a risky cross-generational relationship, understand why it is perilous, and actively advocate against it. With this knowledge, they are far less likely to engage in such risky behavior, thus significantly reducing their chances of contracting HIV or experiencing unwanted pregnancies. Beyond individual impact, Blesser Breakers aims to foster a sense of community resistance, discouraging these harmful relationships on both the adult and child's side.

Wabei Saboi, our Executive Director and Co-founder brings a unique cultural understanding and firsthand experience to the challenges faced by communities in Zambia's Western Province. Being a native of this region, Wabei intimately understands the dynamics of the pervasive issue of cross-generational dating that affects the local population.

In our pilot phase, we strategically brought on a Country Program Coordinator to ensure continuity beyond the first pilot. This coordinator, along with our network of volunteers in pilot schools, including Guidance Teachers, Head Teachers, and other stakeholders, forms a vital link for ongoing community engagement. Regular check-ins, facilitated by our Country Program Coordinator, contribute to a collaborative and community-driven approach.

Our strategic partnerships with the Ministry of Education and the Centre for Curriculum Development underscore our commitment to scalable solutions. We also have ongoing efforts to form partnerships with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice to develop a holistic approach to addressing the issue.

To ensure our solution is deeply rooted in the communities we serve, our team collaborates closely with the Ministry of Education to bring the Blesser Breakers program to every school in Zambia. Training school guidance teachers and student peer educators in the upcoming phase will maximize impact, with a focus on continuous engagement and mentorship through various channels.

The success of our pilot phase indicated the resonance of our curriculum with the girls. Positive responses reflected the effectiveness of the animated video screening in conveying information about the dangers of cross-generational relationships. Direct quotes from the girls underscore the program's significance in addressing teenage pregnancies and reducing new HIV infections. Some of their responses included expressions like, “These lessons should be given to each and every girl,” and “I will never be in a relationship with an old man,” reflecting the program's impact on empowering young girls.

Maintaining a dynamic online presence through our website and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn) ensures that our work reaches diverse audiences within Zambia and beyond. This aligns with our commitment to transparency and the widespread dissemination of information.

Understanding the cultural context of Western Province is vital. Engaging local facilitators who can relate to the girls and incorporating icebreakers to make sexual health education less formal demonstrate our commitment to a culturally sensitive approach. We recognize the importance of addressing societal stigma by running sessions during school time, providing incentives, and ensuring a non-intrusive and inclusive environment for voluntary participation.

Through this comprehensive approach, we aim to create impactful and community-driven solutions that not only address immediate challenges but also foster lasting positive change within the communities we serve.

We have successfully implemented our program in five schools in Western Province, Zambia. As a result, our solution has directly served over 500 grade 8 girls in these schools. The impact is not limited to individual participants but extends to the community level, as our aim is to build a community of resistance against exploitative relationships. As we continue to expand our reach and scale our programs, we anticipate serving a growing number of girls in Zambia and potentially replicating our model in other regions aiming to reach 100,000 girls in the next ten years.

Blesser Breakers is taking a fresh and innovative approach to tackle the complex issue of cross-generational relationships and the exploitation of young girls, primarily in Zambia. What makes our solution stand out is its comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. We engage our target audience, leverage participatory research, and seamlessly integrate advocacy and skills-based training to drive broader positive impacts in the realms of youth empowerment and public health.

At the heart of our innovation is our unwavering focus on a specific group: grade 8 girls aged 12-14. Often overshadowed in existing awareness and intervention programs, these young minds are at a pivotal point in their lives. This is when attitudes and behaviors related to relationships and sexual health are molded. By tailoring our content specifically to this age group, we address a notable gap and empower these girls to comprehend and navigate the complexities of cross-generational relationships, shaping their lives at a critical juncture.

In addition, our pioneering People-Centered Participatory Research (PCPR) approach takes a groundbreaking stance. It places the power in the hands of participants, especially adolescent girls. We actively engage them in every stage of the research process, ensuring that the solutions we develop are not just based on evidence but are actively influenced by the real-life experiences and perspectives of the girls we aim to support. This method represents a shift from traditional top-down interventions, putting the voices of the affected population at the forefront of decision-making. This approach has the potential to set a precedent for more inclusive and community-driven solutions in the fields of public health and youth empowerment, fostering widespread positive changes.

Furthermore, our initiative's unique blend of advocacy work and skills-based training adds a significant layer of innovation. We acknowledge that empowering young girls transcends mere awareness; it involves building their capacity to make informed choices and equipping them with skills for a brighter future. By uniting awareness programs with advocacy for policy change and skills-based training, we don't just address immediate needs; we create a more holistic approach to youth empowerment. This holistic approach may inspire other organizations and stakeholders in this space to adopt more comprehensive strategies that drive lasting change.

While our core approach primarily involves direct interaction and communication, we also recognize the potential for technology to amplify our reach and impact. The use of multimedia tools, such as the 15-minute animated video in our Sugar Daddy Awareness program, has already shown its effectiveness in conveying critical information. Looking forward, we aim to incorporate digital resources and online platforms, especially in regions with limited school access, to further enhance our innovative approach. By doing so, Blesser Breakers is not only poised to transform the market but also to inspire a more inclusive, participant-driven, and technology-enhanced approach to addressing complex social issues. This approach carries the potential for significant global impact.

Year 1 

In the coming year, our primary focus is on reaching and empowering 5,000 grade 8 girls in Zambia through our Sugar Daddy Awareness program. We aim to witness a tangible increase in their understanding of the risks associated with cross-generational relationships, ultimately leading to a reduction in such relationships among the participants. Additionally, we intend to actively collaborate with a minimum of 10 schools to ensure the sustainability and growth of our program. By the end of year one, we plan to initiate discussions with local educational authorities and policymakers to advocate for the inclusion of comprehensive sexual health education in the school curriculum.

Years 1-5

Over the next five years, our overarching objective is to significantly expand our impact. We aspire to empower over 100,000 girls in Zambia by our tenth year, thereby contributing to a substantial reduction in the prevalence of cross-generational relationships, as well as a decrease in new HIV infections and unwanted pregnancies among this demographic. We'll actively engage with 50 or more schools spanning various regions, making our program an integral part of the educational experience for grade 8 girls. To foster broader positive changes, we aim to champion policy adjustments that institutionalize comprehensive sexual health education in Zambian schools, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.7 and Goal 5.2.

Achieving these Impact Goals

To realize these impact goals, our strategy is multifaceted. In the short term (year one), we'll concentrate on intensive outreach and hands-on program implementation. This will entail forming partnerships with schools, community leaders, and local organizations to ensure the participation of 5,000 grade 8 girls in our program. We'll meticulously monitor the program's effectiveness and gather data to measure improvements in awareness and behavior.

Over the next five years, our approach will evolve towards scalability and sustainability. We aim to replicate our successful model in an increasing number of schools, targeting a growing number of girls each year. To realize our long-term aspirations, we'll proactively collaborate with educational authorities and policymakers to advocate for policy changes that will make comprehensive sexual health education a standard part of the grade 8 curriculum across Zambia. This will necessitate strategic partnerships and ongoing dialogues with stakeholders in the education and health sectors, all in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals and their associated indicators.

Through active engagement, rigorous research, and tireless advocacy, Blesser Breakers strives to be a catalyst for transformation in Zambia. Our goal is to create lasting, positive impacts on the lives of grade 8 girls while contributing to the broader objectives of health, education, and gender equality. We are unwavering in our commitment to drive substantial, quantifiable, and sustainable change, working closely with local communities and authorities to turn our impact goals into reality.

Blesser Breakers' Theory of Change

Resources

• Peer educators and guidance teachers

• Funding

• Student participants

• Blesser Breakers Staff

Activities

• Delivering the Sugar Daddy Awareness intervention in schools for Grade 8-10 girls.

Outputs

• Grade 8-10 girls receive the Sugar Daddy Awareness training.

Short-term Outcomes

• An increase in Grade 8-10 girls' awareness of the risks of cross-generational sexual relationships.

Intermediate Outcomes

• More Grade 8-10 girls avoid cross-generational sexual relationships.

Long-term Outcomes

• A reduction of school dropouts resulting from pregnancy.

• An increase in the number of girls completing secondary school.

• A reduction in new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women.

Impact

• Adolescent girls and young women have improved economic and health outcomes.

Assumptions and Risks

Assumption

• There is a lack of awareness of mitigation efforts in communities and schools and a lack of accountability for child sexual molesters.

• Communities include students, parents, community leaders, law enforcement, and advocacy groups for girl's empowerment.

Risk

• Students are not receptive to the Sugar Daddy Awareness lessons.

Evidence

Pilot Phase Success

• The positive feedback and demand for our curriculum from the pilot phase indicate its relevance and effectiveness within the target population.

Ongoing Research

• Engaging with organizations like Youth Impact, we are actively involved in developing Rapid Impact Assessments and analyzing collected data to continually assess and improve the effectiveness of our program.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Regular interactions with government representatives, educators, and community leaders provide ongoing feedback and validation of the program's impact.

Peer Educator Model

• We introduce a Peer Educator Model, training Grade 11 and 12 students to implement the intervention, extending our reach within the school system.

Blesser Breakers' Theory of Change is not only rooted in a strategic progression of activities and outcomes but is also supported by tangible evidence. The success of the pilot phase, ongoing research initiatives, active stakeholder engagement, and the introduction of a Peer Educator Model collectively contribute to the robustness of our approach, ensuring continual adaptation and improvement for a lasting impact on the lives of adolescent girls and young women.

2 full-time staff and 5 part-time staff.

1.5 years.

At the heart of Blesser Breakers' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is a powerful embodiment of these principles through its founder, a remarkable woman hailing from Zambia. Her story and background exemplify the essence of the organization's mission. As a woman from Zambia, she intimately understands the complex challenges that young girls in her community face, particularly those related to cross-generational relationships and the exploitation of vulnerable girls. Her lived experiences and unique perspective drive her unwavering dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive society, where young girls can thrive without fear or exploitation.

In founding Blesser Breakers, this inspirational woman has paved the way for a more inclusive and diverse approach to addressing the issues that affect her community. Her leadership and vision empower other women and marginalized individuals, showcasing the transformative potential of inclusive leadership. It is through her determination and the organization's continued efforts that Blesser Breakers aims to foster a more inclusive world where the rights and well-being of young girls are protected, and their voices are heard, respected, and valued

Blesser Breakers will be incorporated as a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering teenage girls in Zambia to reject cross-generational relationships and reduce their vulnerability to HIV and unwanted pregnancies. Our solution encompasses the Sugar Daddy Awareness program delivered in partnership with schools, People-Centered Participatory Research (PCPR) for evidence-based interventions, advocacy for policy change, and the integration of skills-based training for girls. We target a specific age group that is currently underserved and at high risk, with the aim of building a community of resistance against exploitative relationships. Our financial sustainability relies on grants, donations, corporate partnerships, fundraising initiatives, and support from philanthropic organizations. As we scale our programs, we intend to develop income-generating activities within our organization for long-term sustainability.

Blesser Breakers is committed to addressing the challenges of cross-generational dating and promoting sexual wellness among school-going girls in Zambia as a non-profit enterprise. Our financial sustainability plan is rooted in a low-cost, asset-light operational model, with a focus on engaging the philanthropic community for funding. Drawing inspiration from successful models like Youth Impact (formerly Younglove), a D-Prize-funded non-profit organization, we aim to ensure our impact-based programs remain accessible without imposing charges on our clients.

Our operational model is designed to be cost-effective, requiring minimal assets such as a computer and print-outs of the comic book. Utilizing free venues like classrooms, school halls, and open fields, we aim to keep our overhead costs low. To secure funding for our programs, we plan to apply for grants from various sources, including the Development Innovation Venture, USAID, and local government funds allocated for HIV prevention within the Ministry of Health.

Grant applications are supplemented by diverse fundraising activities and the facilitation of online donations through our website and social media platforms. This multifaceted approach to fundraising ensures a robust and sustainable financial model.

The success of our financial sustainability plan is underscored by the positive outcomes of our pilot phase in 2022. Partnering with five schools in Western Province, Zambia, we reached over 500 girls, receiving appreciative feedback from both students and community stakeholders. The demand for our curriculum from the girls themselves and the positive reception within the community further motivates our commitment to expanding our impact.

In our next phase, slated to begin in the upcoming year, our goal is to reach up to 3,000 Grade 8-10 girls. This expansion will be facilitated by working closely with dedicated guidance teachers and peer educators. Looking ahead, our ambitious mission targets providing essential Sugar Daddy intervention programming to 100,000 Grade 8-10 girls in Zambia over the next decade. The introduction of a Peer Educator Model, training Grade 11 and 12 students to implement the program, and incorporating SMS programming will enable us to scale our intervention effectively.

Engaging with stakeholders, including government representatives, educators, and community leaders, remains a fundamental aspect of our strategy.

Our financial sustainability hinges on strategic partnerships, grant funding, philanthropic support, and diversified fundraising efforts. By adhering to this comprehensive plan, we are confident in our ability to create a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of adolescent girls in Zambia. We express gratitude to our donors and partners and eagerly anticipate the continued success of our journey toward a brighter future for all girls.