In a community where drug abuse has trapped many young lives, one Adventist young person is using dance to restore hope.

Makadunyiswe Moyo, 26, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chitungwiza, founded Mamero, a youth traditional dance group that has become a lifeline for young people as young as 11. His goal is simple: keep young people off the streets and provide them with a purpose.

“I saw my peers wasting away because of drugs,” Moyo said. “I wanted to give them something better to do, something that gives joy and meaning.”

Moyo’s idea took shape after he attended Youth Alive training, a church program that equips young people to reach others through creative and faith-based initiatives.

“The training helped me realize I can use the dance group to change lives without compromising my faith, I can use what is available to me to make a difference,” he said. “Dance became my ministry.”

He further said it opened his eyes to integrate the members of his dance group into the church as members of the Pathfinder Club. This has greatly improved their lifestyle and behavior.

The initiative has earned support from church leadership.

“The young man is doing what is very important,” said Dennis Munaiwa, Youth Ministries director for the Zimbabwe East Union Conference. “It is a good initiative. I applaud that. . . . We view this as a creative and effective outreach initiative. The group is part of the Pathfinder Club, which is good. We hope they will continue to be engaged in more church programs, including Voice of Prophecy, so they fully integrate into the church.”

In Chitungwiza, traditional dances are part of the local culture. Moyo saw it as an opportunity to engage his peers in a familiar way, using rhythm to start conversations about healthy living, faith, and community service.

Faith in Motion

Mamero has performed at community events and competitions, earning several awards for their vibrant choreography and teamwork. They became a very good dance group. But for Moyo, the true victory lies beyond the stage.

When the group wins prize money—which they often do—they invest it back into the community. Together they have started small projects such as chicken rearing to raise funds for groceries for elderly individuals and for school fees for children from struggling families.

“Helping others brings me more joy than keeping the money,” Moyo said. “We dance to draw attention, and when people gather, we talk to them about God and the dangers of drug abuse.”

Inside his mother’s modest home in Chitungwiza’s Unit M suburb, Moyo proudly displayed trophies and certificates that Mamero has earned over the years. Each one tells a story of teamwork, transformation, and faith in action.

Moyo’s mother, watching from her veranda, said she is proud of her son’s compassion.

“He could have used the money for himself,” she said. “But he chooses to help the elderly and feed the hungry. That’s what makes me proud.”

Hope That Moves

Though not formally employed, Moyo believes his dance ministry is a calling. He hopes Mamero will continue to inspire other Adventist youth to use their gifts for mission and social impact.

“We might not all preach,” he said, “but we can all show God’s love in our own way.”

Through movement and melody Mamero has become a symbol of hope in a community searching for change, people supporting the initiative said. “His story is a powerful reminder that ministry doesn’t always wear a suit or stand behind a pulpit. Sometimes it wears dancing shoes,” they said. “This is more than art; it’s ministry in motion.”

The original article was provided by the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division.