YouthNet/Tanzania has five major program components:
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In Tanzania, the majority of young people have heard about HIV/AIDS, some STIs, and unintended pregnancy but most don't see themselves at risk. By supporting behavior change communication (BCC) efforts, YouthNet/Tanzania equips young people with the necessary knowledge and skills to adopt healthy behaviors and change or avoid risky ones.
A major part of YouthNet/Tanzania's BCC work is conducted through the Ishi Campaign. Ishi, a Swahili word meaning "to be alive," is a nationwide program designed by and for Tanzanians aged 15-24. The campaign aims to:
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Increase youth perception of personal risk of contracting HIV
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Increase knowledge of three ways to avoid infection: abstaining from sex, being faithful in a relationship, and using a condom
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Encourage youth to seek voluntary HIV/AIDS counseling and testing from youth-friendly health centers.
Read more about the Ishi Campaign.
YouthNet/Tanzania also supports local organizations in a variety of BCC efforts. One grant to IDYDC in the Iringa region assisted that organization to train football coaches in life skills and HIV prevention. Those coaches, representing 700 football teams, now teach thousands of girls and boys practical ways to stay healthy and prevent HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy.
In the Iringa Region, YouthNet/Tanzania works with Christian and Muslim faith-based organizations (FBOs) to build their capacity to design and implement youth-focused activities that promote reproductive health and HIV prevention among young people. Faith-based activities and education focus on messages that emphasize abstinence and faithfulness to promote healthy lives and avoid HIV infection and unintended pregnancy.
In May 2004, YouthNet and youth and adults from Christian and Muslim faiths in the Iringa Region conducted a formative assessment using participatory learning and action (PLA) methods. Through workshops, youth and adults were trained to conduct rapid, qualitative assessments on issues relating to RH and HIV/AIDS in their communities. Following data collection, participants then analyzed and interpreted the information. The information was eye-opening to some, and for many, it was also the first time that youth and adults had ever worked together as equals.
Following the assessment, YouthNet worked with the FBOs to design programs that addressed the most urgent RH needs identified. A series of training workshops were held to build the technical and organizational capacity of the participating groups. Topics included program design and proposal development, behavior change communication, monitoring and evaluation and financial management. To date, YouthNet has awarded six grants for youth RH and HIV prevention to FBOs that participated in the capacity building process.
Improving access to youth-friendly services helps young people protect and improve their reproductive health. In Dar es Salaam, YouthNet/Tanzania supports the African Medical and Research Foundation's (AMREF) Mwananyamala Youth Centre. The Centre provides integrated youth-friendly health services, edutainment (song, dance, drama and sports with health education messages), and community mobilization programs in the Kinondoni District in Dar es Salaam.
In addition, YouthNet supports the publication and dissemination of Si Mchezo! magazine (meaning"No Joke!" in Swahili). The magazine is developed in collaboration with young people and includes articles, stories, and cartoons that address young people's interests and concerns related to their reproductive health. The magazine targets rural, semi-literate, and out-of-school youth, ages 10-24. Reproductive health themes explored in the magazine during 2004-2005 have included:
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"I learned a lesson" (unintended pregnancy)
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"I abstain from sex" (delay of sexual debut)
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"Now I am free" (sexual debut and unintended pregnancies).
YouthNet/Tanzania strengthens youth involvement in reproductive health and HIV/AIDS programming by providing meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs that affect their lives. In its first year of operation, YouthNet/Tanzania established the Youth Executive Committee (YEC) that includes youth representatives from Dar es Salaam and Iringa Regions. YEC members actively participate in developing annual work plans, reviewing proposals and implementing activities such as community events around International AIDS Day and Youth Day.
YouthNet and YouthNet/Tanzania have also teamed up to pre-test and finalize the Youth Participation Guide that assists young people and organizations to institutionalize youth participation throughout their programs.
YouthNet enhances coordination among youth-serving organizations, government partners and other key stakeholders in Tanzania and provides technical leadership information, research and tools to promote best practices in youth RH and HIV prevention.
As a forum for leadership and coordination, YouthNet/Tanzania established the Coordinating Committee for Youth Programs (CCYP). The CCYP meets quarterly to facilitate communication, share key technical information, and coordinate activities among youth-serving organizations. In the last year, YouthNet has partnered with groups such as the African Medical and Research Foundation, the African Youth Alliance, the Clinton Foundation and FHI's HIV Institute to explore issues around youth RH services and youth access to antiretroviral treatment and care. A September 2005 meeting of the CCYP included the dissemination of three recent research studies conducted by the Government of Tanzania, YouthNet, and the Ishi campaign.
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