Jerome Mzuri, founder and director of Southern Africa Youth
Vision, or SAYOVI. SAYOVI is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to
uplifting at-risk and underprivileged people, with a focus on youth who use
drugs—both on and off the streets—as well as vulnerable migrants and those
experiencing homelessness. Jerome founded SAYOVI in 2011 and has been leading
its mission to implement programs that improve the quality of life for these
communities ever since. Jerome shared that every Friday, SAYOVI staff members
go into local communities to interact directly with at-risk youth, offering
meals and taking time to connect on a personal level.
These moments of
interaction, he explained, are about more than just providing food—they are
about building trust, showing care, and creating a sense of belonging. He says
his biggest takeaway is the importance of spreading love, and of sharing joy
and warmth with those around him. He also reflects that many people become
entangled in drugs and addiction not out of choice, but because they lack a
meaningful sense of community in their lives. SAYOVI aims to fill that gap by
reminding people they are seen and valued. The work Jerome is doing is
admirable as he is doing it to connect with often-overlooked communities.
If you’d like to learn more about SAYOVI work or find ways
to get involved, you can reach them at (0)76 920 6481 or at
sayovi2711@gmail.com.