From Participant to Changemaker: Faith’s Story

Three years ago, in line with the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, Bill Gates recognized Grassroot Soccer (GRS) as a “Game Changer.” On his blog, Gates wrote about why, especially during the excitement of a World Cup, GRS’s approach using soccer to engage young people around their health resonated with him so deeply.

He also shared a powerful video about GRS’s approach and impact. About two thirds of the way through the video we meet Faith, a participant in GRS’s SKILLZ program in Zambia, who shares that her SKILLZ Coach, Kunda, was “the person [she] could open up to”, and the mentor who encouraged and helped her to access HIV testing.

Fast forward to today, and Faith is now a trained SKILLZ Coach herself – playing the crucial role for young people that Kunda once played for her. Here is her story:

Faith Mwanza is a trained peer educator, child rights advocate, and MindSKILLZ Coach with Grassroot Soccer (GRS) Zambia. Her journey into this work as a game changer began in 2019 while in primary school, when she participated in GRS’s SKILLZ Core program for younger adolescents, which covers foundational health topics including HIV, sexual and reproductive health, gender norms, mental health, and life skills. 

Joining SKILLZ was a moment that would prove to change the course of Faith’s life. The program sparked a deep interest in adolescent health and fueled Faith’s passion for ensuring that adolescent girls have access to accurate information, safe mentorship, and opportunities to create change in their own communities.

Growing up, Faith often struggled with fitting in and opening up to others. That began to change when she met her first Coach, Kunda.

“When I met Coach Kunda, I finally felt like I belonged to a space where I didn’t have to change or try to fit in. It felt safe and empowering,” Faith said. “The very first session emphasized respect, and I knew from then that I wouldn’t be judged.”

Coach Kunda became a pillar of support for Faith – offering kindness, guidance, and a non-judgmental ear. Their connection extended beyond the classroom, which provided Faith with the courage to prioritize her health. 

“Coach Kunda created a safe space for me and my peers. During one home visit, she even built a relationship with my mum and encouraged us to have important conversations we had never had before,” Faith recalled. “She also gave me the courage to go for my first HIV test, something I would never have done without her support.” 

Faith credits GRS with not only building her confidence, but also showing her that she could be a game changer herself. Inspired by her own experience, she began volunteering at a local youth-friendly space after graduating from the SKILLZ program. Determined to give back to her community, she then applied to become a SKILLZ Coach in early 2025, was accepted to the role, and was trained as a MindSKILLZ Coach to equip young people with crucial mental health information and coping skills. 

Today, Faith delivers MindSKILLZ to young people in her community and beyond, helping them build resilience, develop positive habits for their physical and mental health, and find safe spaces where they can thrive. 

Faith’s story is both one of resilience and building confidence, and a powerful testament to how mentorship, life-saving information, and supportive programs can transform lives. From a young girl searching for belonging to a confident mentor and advocate in her own right, Faith continues to inspire adolescents to believe in themselves, take control of their health, and become leaders in their communities – just as Kunda had done for her.