Summary..
The project specifically targets children and youth aged 10 to 24 years, encompassing both in-school and out-of-school demographics, and includes both girls and boys. This age group is particularly susceptible to peer pressure, which can strongly influence their behavior and decisions. Unfortunately, many in this group lack essential information about crucial health and safety issues, such as HIV prevention, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), family planning, reproductive health, and the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.
At this age, the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, as well as other communicable and non-communicable diseases, is high. The project aims to bridge this information gap by raising awareness among the youth and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to take preventive measures against these risks. By becoming more informed, young people can make safer and healthier choices, ultimately reducing their vulnerability to these health threats.
Furthermore, the project emphasizes the importance of engaging young people in advocacy efforts. By encouraging them to form networks, they can collectively amplify their voices and strengthen their initiatives. These networks will serve as platforms for young people to share information, support each other, and advocate for policies and programs that address their unique needs and challenges.
Empowering young people in this way acknowledges them as true agents of change. By being informed, proactive, and organized, they can significantly contribute to decreasing their own vulnerability and that of their peers. This approach not only addresses immediate health concerns but also fosters a sense of responsibility and leadership among the youth, enabling them to play a vital role in shaping a healthier and more informed community.
PROJECT INTERVENTION CONDUCTED:
Activities:
- HIV & Malaria Testing Events: These events provide crucial health services by offering free testing for HIV and malaria. By making these services accessible, the program aims to increase early detection and treatment, thereby reducing the spread and impact of these diseases. These events also serve as opportunities to educate participants about prevention methods and the importance of regular health check-ups.
- Mentor Relationship Between Coach and Participants: The program fosters strong mentor relationships between coaches and participants. Coaches not only teach sports skills but also act as role models and mentors, providing guidance, support, and encouragement. These relationships are pivotal in helping young people develop self-esteem, discipline, and a positive outlook on life.
- Play-Based Activities on Malaria Prevention and Treatment: Using play-based activities, the program educates participants about malaria prevention and treatment. These activities are designed to be engaging and informative, making it easier for children and youth to understand and retain important health information. Through games and interactive sessions, participants learn about the causes of malaria, how it is transmitted, and effective prevention strategies such as the use of mosquito nets and insect repellent.
- Community and Youth Dialogue and Debate: The program organizes forums for community and youth dialogue and debate. These sessions provide a platform for young people to express their views, share experiences, and discuss issues that affect their lives and communities. Engaging in dialogue and debate helps participants develop critical thinking and communication skills, and promotes a culture of open discussion and problem-solving
- Meetings for Football Events: The program conducts meetings to organize and plan football events. These meetings bring together coaches, participants, and community members to coordinate activities, discuss logistics, and ensure the smooth execution of football tournaments and training sessions. Football events serve as a central aspect of the program, promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and community spirit while providing a fun and engaging way for participants to learn and grow.
Behavioral Outcomes
- Delayed Sexual Debut: One of the primary goals is to delay the age at which young people first engage in sexual activity. By educating participants about the risks associated with early sexual activity and providing them with the tools to make informed decisions, the program encourages youths to postpone sexual debut, which can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.
- Increased Condom Usage: The program emphasizes the importance of safe sex practices, particularly the consistent and correct use of condoms. By providing education and resources, the program aims to increase the rate of condom usage among sexually active youth, thereby reducing the transmission of HIV and other STIs.
- Increased Circumcision Rates: The program promotes voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) as a measure to reduce the risk of HIV infection. Increased circumcision rates can contribute to lower HIV transmission rates within the community. The program provides information on the benefits of circumcision and facilitates access to circumcision services.
- Increase in HIV & Malaria Testing: The program encourages regular testing for HIV and malaria to ensure early detection and treatment. By increasing the number of individuals who get tested, the program helps in controlling the spread of these diseases and in providing timely medical intervention to those who test positive.
- Increased Use of Bed Nets: To combat malaria, the program promotes the use of insecticide-treated bed nets. Increased use of bed nets among the community helps in reducing the incidence of malaria by protecting individuals from mosquito bites during sleep.
- Increased Intake of Malaria Medication: The program educates participants about the importance of completing malaria medication regimens. By increasing adherence to prescribed malaria treatments, the program aims to improve health outcomes for those infected and reduce the spread of the disease.
- Decreased Age-Disparate Sex: The program seeks to reduce instances of sexual relationships between young people and significantly older partners. Such relationships often carry higher risks of HIV transmission and other negative health outcomes. By addressing the power imbalances and educating youth about healthy relationships, the program aims to decrease the prevalence of age-disparate sex.
- Reduced Percentage of Youth with More Than One Partner: Encouraging monogamous relationships or reducing the number of sexual partners among youth is another goal of the program. By promoting the benefits of having one sexual partner, the program helps reduce the risk of HIV and STI transmission.
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A Success Story of Braviana Masoud:
My name is Braviana Masoud, and I'm a sixth-grade student at Nyumbatatu Primary School in Iringa. My family lives on Ilala Street, where my mother runs a small business making and selling alcohol from our home. Sometimes, out of curiosity, I've tasted the alcohol she prepares, though I know it's not something I should be doing at my age.
In March 2024, something important happened I joined the Zinduka team at school. This program taught us about many things that are important for our health and well-being. We learned a lot about alcohol how it can hurt our bodies, how it can make it hard for families to get along, and how it can affect the money families have. These are all things I saw happening at home sometimes because of my mom's business.
But we didn't just learn about alcohol. We also learned about HIV and how it spreads. We learned why using mosquito nets is so important to stop diseases like malaria. These lessons opened my eyes to a lot of things I hadn't thought about before.
After learning all this, I started to think differently. I realized that even though I was just curious, trying alcohol at my age could be really risky. I decided then and there that I didn't want to keep tasting it. Instead, I wanted to focus on my schoolwork and my dream of becoming a teacher.
I really admire the teachers at my school who have shown me how exciting learning can be. They've inspired me to want to help other kids learn too. I believe that by becoming a teacher, I can make a positive difference in my community. I want to teach kids about the world around them and help them see how much they can achieve if they work hard and make good choices.
So now, every day, I study hard and think about how I can reach my goal of becoming a teacher. I want to use my education to help others and make my family proud.
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