Who we are

We are a non-profit human rights organization that supports and serves children in conflict with the law through free legal services, social support, and justice system transformation.

Since our founding in 2014, we have evolved from a small group of legal volunteers into a leading child justice organization also serving other vulnerable groups such as victims of human

trafficking and migrants. Today, our licensed staff work closely with courts, police, correctional facilities, and communities to transform the justice system to better serve our clients. Our vision is a transformed criminal justice system that upholds and promotes the rights and welfare of children.

Our daily work with our clients is guided by the following core values:

Proximity: We strongly believe that success largely lies in staying close to those we serve; being present in the same spaces, listening to their voices, and tailoring our support to their unique contexts.

Problem-Solving: In addition to our data-driven model, we keep innovating and collaborating to address complex challenges and create sustainable solutions. No matter how the system has failed, we do not take “no” for an answer. Instead, we think outside the box to find a new approach to solve problems because someone’s life depends on it.

Professionalism: In our work, UP Zambia encounters people from all walks of life. We treat and serve every person with respect, conducting and carrying out our work with excellence, integrity, and accountability.

Passion: Caring deeply about our work and believing in the potential of every child is what will carry us through to success. Every one of us was once a child, and someone believed in us or offered us a second chance. It is our turn to extend the same opportunity to the next child.