Did you know that young people in Zambia can now access health advice, mental health support, and even career opportunities from their mobile phones? The My Safe Space (MSS) App is making it happen. Developed by the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this digital platform is giving adolescents and young people (AYP) a safe, confidential, and youth-friendly way to access services that matter most to them.

Speaking in an interview, Brenda Kayumba, a youth health advocate and one of the project’s champions, explained what inspired the app’s creation.

“When COVID-19 hit, young people were suddenly cut off from the youth-friendly spaces they trusted,” she said. “We knew we had to find a way to keep them connected to health information, services, and support. That’s how the My Safe Space App came about.”

Launched in 2021, right during the pandemic, the app has become more than just an emergency tool. Brenda shared that it was specifically designed for young people aged 16 to 24.

“Young people often face stigma when they seek health services,” she said. “There’s also the fear of being judged, a lack of trustworthy information, and sometimes just the challenge of reaching a clinic. MSS solves all that — it is private, relatable, and puts information and support right in their hands.”

Brenda further explained that the app’s main goals are to improve access to sexual and reproductive health and HIV services, promote mental well-being, improve digital literacy, and even offer pathways to career and economic empowerment.

“We want young people to know that this app is not just about health, it is about their whole future,” she said. “Whether they need information, a listening ear, or help finding a job or scholarship, My Safe Space has their back.”

Looking to the future, Brenda revealed that a revamped version of the MSS App, packed with new features, will be launched in July 2025.

“Users will now be able to self-assess their mental health, check their HIV risk, and even evaluate their exposure to gender-based violence,” she said. “We are adding live expert sessions where young people can ask real questions and forums where they can suggest and vote on the topics they care about.”

The upgraded app will allow users to schedule clinic appointments, access virtual consultations, find nearby youth-friendly facilities through Google Maps, and link to scholarships and training programmes.

“What excites me the most,” Brenda added, “is that young people can finally take charge of their health journey without fear. They can evaluate their wellness, talk to counsellors, and access services without worrying about being judged or turned away.”

She said the team hopes the new features will boost HIV prevention, mental health awareness, and access to reproductive health services across Zambia.

“Our bigger dream,” Brenda said with a smile, “is for My Safe Space to become Africa’s number one youth empowerment platform. We want it to be youth-led, innovative, and a tool that changes lives and influences policies.”

With My Safe Space, young people are no longer isolated — they are empowered, informed, and connected like never before.