Elimika na Mwajuma : Zawadi

Adolescence (ages 10–19) is a crucial period marked by significant physical, mental, and emotional changes. Adolescents, particularly those who have hit puberty, spend more than 8 hours in school, five days a week. However, schools do not currently provide available, accessible, and effective SRH (Sexual and Reproductive Health) services. Misinformation from peers is widespread, which can harm adolescents' well-being. School nurses, who could play a crucial role, often lack access to the necessary knowledge and information for providing SRH services. A study conducted in Tanzanian primary and secondary schools revealed several challenges regarding SRH education. These challenges include a shortage of teaching and learning resources, outdated teaching methods, insufficient SRH knowledge among teachers, and opposition from traditional and religious leaders. Furthermore, the school curriculum and syllabi do not adequately cover SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) topics, such as human reproductive systems. Instead, SRHR content is embedded in other subjects like science, technology, and biology. Topics like puberty, HIV/AIDS, and sexually transmitted infections are prevalent among primary and secondary school learners.

Tanzania has a significant adolescent population, with approximately 9,361,667 adolescents aged 13-19 as of the 2022 census. Additionally, there are 4,687,074 children in primary school (ages 7-13) and 5,461,655 in secondary school (ages 14-17). However, these adolescents face difficulties in accessing SRHR information, commodities, and services due to stigma and their unavailability. Tanzania has the 17th highest adolescent fertility rate in Africa at 132 births per 1,000 girls in 2015/16, reflecting an increase from 116 in 2010. Relatedly, at least one in four adolescents aged 15-19 years has begun childbearing, and some teenagers have had more than one birth. The majority of teenage childbearing,75-percent, happens within marriage or cohabitation where sexual activity and pregnancy are socially accepted. 

Adolescence in Tanzania is associated with a high frequency of child marriage, insufficient knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and limited access to SRH services. Limited access increases the risk of unplanned pregnancies and STIs among adolescents. Another urgent concern is the socially normalized sexual exploitation of adolescents in Tanzania. Specific barriers preventing adolescent girls and boys from accessing rights-based, gender-sensitive, and adolescent-friendly SRHR services include insufficient implementation of strategies to support adolescents' understanding of their SRH rights, inadequate efforts to empower adolescents to demand their rights, unfriendly healthcare infrastructure, and limited human resources for health services. Additionally, adolescents fear encountering parents, being recognized by someone they know, facing negativity after expressing their problems, and the absence of adolescent-friendly services in many healthcare facilities.

Elimika na Mwajuma is an animation series that address SGBV with the first three episodes talking about Rape Culture, Sexual Corruption, Early marriage, and IPV. These episodes revolve around Mwajuma, a 16-year-old protagonist with the aim of providing education and raising awareness within the Tanzanian demographic. Mwajuma is a relatable character, bearing a common name, enabling viewers to connect with her experiences as she confronts these pressing issues and educates the community about SGBV. In each video, a clear call to action is presented, encouraging individuals to take steps like speaking up and ending victim-blaming. 

"Elimika na Mwajuma - Zawadi" is an initiative designed to co-create an additional video as part of the animation series, focusing on SRHR. Leveraging our extensive network of schools, we intend to collaborate with three schools in the Dar es Salaam region. These schools are located in districts with the highest indicators of SRHR challenges, and we aim to engage at least 20 students in each school to co-create content for a 2-3 minute video animation that will be distributed nationwide. This carefully selected group of students will work closely with the OVAH team, taking on various responsibilities, including conducting peer interviews, identifying key topics for the animation, contributing to character development, and participating in scriptwriting. Our primary goal is to spotlight how marginalized adolescents, such as those with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds, face even greater challenges when it comes to accessing SRHR information, commodities, and services. Participants in the animation co-creation will also receive training in SRHR to deepen their understanding and knowledge, equipping them to serve as advocates for SRHR among their peers in their respective schools. These peer advocates will establish "Elimika na Mwajuma" Clubs in their schools, providing a platform for sharing knowledge and addressing questions related to SRHR. This component of our project draws inspiration from a successful government strategy employed over a decade ago, known as "ElimuRika." The strategy involved training a selected group of students on critical topics like HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and puberty. Its success was attributed to the use of relatable peer mentors who shared the same challenges and dilemmas. Students found it easier to ask questions, even outside the classroom and in the comfort of their homes, knowing that their discussions would not reach their teachers or parents.

We plan to further incentivize SRHR advocates to reach out to out-of-school peers, impacting more adolescents with youth-friendly ASRHR information. Additionally, the final component of our initiative involves providing capacity-building to school nurses. These nurses will offer SRHR services to adolescents within their schools, armed with updated information and methodologies. The services will cover areas such as information and counseling on sexual and reproductive health, education on safe sex, gender-based violence and female genital mutilation, puberty, and menstruation, as well as treatment and management of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Our phased approach will initially focus on services that do not require substantial financial resources, ensuring that students within the respective schools receive essential SRHR support.

The target population for our initiative is adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years old. They are typically in school, this offers an effective approach to engaging our target audience, enabling us to reach a significant number of adolescents simultaneously in a cost-efficient manner. With a minimum student population of 1,000 in these schools, our commitment is to ensure that every one of these adolescents, particularly girls, gains access to essential ASRHR information and services. 

This demographic is especially vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence, early marriages, and a lack of access to accurate ASRHR information, commodities, and services. Currently, these adolescents lack access to youth-friendly, age-appropriate SRHR education and services, which leaves them ill-equipped to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. They often face social stigma, discrimination, and a lack of support, which can lead to risky behaviors, unwanted pregnancies, and exposure to sexually transmitted infections.

Our solution addresses their needs by providing relatable and engaging content through animated videos. Our initiative works directly with students in schools, allowing them to co-create educational content. This empowers them to take an active role in shaping their ASRHR education and provides them with the knowledge and skills they need to become advocates for their peers. By addressing the specific needs of marginalized adolescents, such as those with disabilities or from poor backgrounds, we work to reduce disparities in SRHR access and support. Through the Clubs within schools, we offer a safe space for students to discuss and seek guidance on ASRHR matters. Our initiative also strengthens the capacity of school nurses to provide essential ASRHR services within the school setting. This directly benefits students by giving them access to information, counseling, and care related to sexual and reproductive health, ultimately improving their well-being and reducing the prevalence of risky behaviors. For these adolescents, having their schools and staff support the provision of SRH services would hold significant importance and meaning.

The name of this initiative is "Elimika na Mwajuma - Zawadi" - Zawadi is translated to Gift in English. Zawadi is a gift of knowledge, a gift of self-confidence, and a gift of the future. It's a beacon of light, illuminating the path to informed choices, healthier lives, and a more empowered generation. In the hearts of the adolescents it touches, it leaves an indelible mark – a mark of promise, of enlightenment, and of the most precious gift of all, the gift of a brighter tomorrow.

As an organization, some of our interventions work closely with adolescents in schools. They usually play a role in improving our interventions with feedback and inputs they provide through focus groups discussions, surveys, and interviews to better understand their unique challenges and tailor our approaches accordingly. Their voices are integral in guiding our efforts, ensuring that our solution remains meaningful and effective. To ensure that our solution is informed by the needs and perspectives of the adolescents we aim to engage in direct collaboration with them. This co-creation process is essential to our initiative. We are continually gaining insights from both successful community initiatives and identified gaps. As previously mentioned, our inspiration partially stems from "ElimuRika," a government-led program initiated over a decade ago, with the primary goal of providing Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) education in primary schools located in economically disadvantaged communities. I personally benefited from this program during my school years, where I had the opportunity to acquire valuable knowledge from my peers who were specially trained as peer educators. Witnessing the positive impact this had on fellow pupils within the school environment empathize with the significance of such educational efforts.

As the team lead, I am a late adolescent myself aged 24 years old with direct experience and understanding of the challenges that our target audience faces. I was born and bred in the Dar es Salaam region, growing up in low-income communities, I have experienced and seen other young people experience the same issues we are trying to address with this initiative today. This proximity to the communities we serve is not limited to me alone; our team is representative of the diverse backgrounds and experiences within these communities. All team members have faced issues related to sexual and reproductive health, and a lack of comprehensive education firsthand regardless of where they grew up.

Our first three animation videos have been directly screened to 3,373 adolescents in six regions of Tanzania, also reached an audience of over 225,000 individuals through online platforms. We are currently piloting a project called “Elimika na Mwajuma : Championing Safe Institutions” in five schools in Dar es Salaam with 80 students per school, incorporating animation videos and additional teaching materials, aim to transform schools into safe spaces for learning and growth.  Schools, in particular, should be safe spaces for learning and growth, but they often become places where Sexual Violence  is perpetuated. Lack of awareness about these issues, coupled with social stigma, often dissuade victims from reporting the violence, leading to a perpetuation of this harmful cycle. The problem is further amplified when  school staff, who should be the primary protectors of children in schools, lack adequate knowledge to identify, prevent and appropriately respond to instances of SGBV. This project engages students in lessons using our animations, students led discussions and experiential learning, and after four months of learning,  students' creates innovative and creative guides and knowledge products such as awareness pamphlets, posters, poems, etc designed to encapsulate the invaluable lessons derived from the animations  and training sessions, and these guides will used by the whole school community for educational and accountability purposes to students and staff respectively. These 400 students in groups will be presenting and launching their school guidelines and knowledge products during the 16 Days against GBV in 2023 campaign initiated by OVAH Tanzania and other 25 civil organizations in Tanzania.

1. User-Centric Design

At the heart of our innovation is a resolute commitment to a user-centric approach. We understand that the evolving needs of adolescents are dynamic and diverse. By co-creating our solution with adolescents themselves, we ensure that we deliver needed and effective SRHR information. 

2. Animation Technology

Animations aren't only entertaining but also remarkably effective in conveying information. They offer a memorable and visually appealing means of learning, enhancing comprehension and retention. The versatility of animations allows for broad distribution via different channels such as online platforms, TV, Radio, and in-person screening, ensuring that a wide-reaching audience of adolescents benefits from this educational tool.

3. Peer Mentorship and Advocacy

The active involvement of adolescents as SRHR advocates. These are relatable peer mentors who face the same challenges and dilemmas that today's other students/adolescents grapple with. This peer-led approach creates a unique atmosphere of trust and open dialogue. Adolescents find it easier to seek advice and ask questions, even outside the classroom, and within the privacy of their homes. This critical element fosters a more open and honest discourse about SRHR, empowering young individuals to make informed choices.

4. Leveraging Existing School Resources i.e school nurses

We harness the existing expertise within school staff, particularly school nurses. These professionals are already well-versed in the healthcare field, saving costs while ensuring the sustainability of our program. School staff, including nurses, tend to have enduring careers in the education sector. This means that the impact of our program extends beyond a single school; it ripples through multiple school communities over time. We invest in these dedicated individuals, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to continue our program even when they transition to new schools.

5. Fostering Broader Impact via animation as it is a sustainable, scalable model that can transform SRHR education across the board. 

First Year Goals:

1. Develop a captivating animation video to serve as a Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) material.

2. Work closely with  60 adolescents from 3-5 schools to co-create the animation and provide them with comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) training. Empower them to become SRHR advocates in their respective schools.

3. Through the "Elimika na Mwjauma" clubs, reach and educate approximately 3,000 adolescents in specific schools, providing them access to vital SRHR information.

4. Deliver comprehensive SRHR services to approximately 300 adolescents through school nurses, ensuring access to essential care and support.

5. Distribute the animation video to 20 other schools through in-person screenings via the OVAH Tanzania school workshops program. Provide SRHR information to more than 2,000 adolescents, targeting 100 students per school. 

6. Achieve a minimum of 5,000 video views on online platforms, and other channels extending the reach and impact of the animation.

Five-Year Goals:

1. Continuously evaluate the outcomes and impact of the initiative, making improvements based on feedback and evolving needs. Seek additional financial resources to expand the program's reach.

2. Reach One Million Adolescents over the next five years providing them with high-quality SRHR education and support.

3. Establish a network of 1,000 peer SRHR advocates who will provide essential support and information to adolescents, creating a powerful force for positive change.

4. Partner with organizations sharing a similar commitment to improving SRHR outcomes for adolescents. Utilize national radio and television broadcasts to disseminate the animation video widely, reaching a broader audience.

5. Approach the government to integrate our SRHR education approach into schools through a partnership with Shule Direct, an organization with e-learning and LMS in 93 schools. Collaborate to deliver SRHR education for students and school nurses, prioritizing resources and support to facilitate this cost-effective and sustainable scale.

6. Expand the program to schools in three regions: Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza, as these regions face a higher risk of early pregnancies, early marriage, HIV/STD transmissions, FGM, and gender-based violence (GBV). We also have interacted with schools and local governments in these regions.

Immediate Outputs

We create an engaging animation video as SBCC material. We work closely with adolescents to co-create the animation, providing them with comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) training, and empowering them to become SRHR advocates in their schools. Through the "Elimika na Mwjauma" clubs and school nurses, we provide SRHR education and services to adolescents. We share the animation on online platforms to reach a wider audience.

Intermediate Outcomes

Adolescents gain a better understanding of SRHR, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Trained adolescent advocates foster a more open and supportive environment in schools, encouraging their peers to seek SRHR information and support. Adolescents have access to essential SRHR information and services, reducing risks associated with early pregnancies, HIV/STD transmissions, etc. The online presence of the animation video spreads awareness of SRHR among a wide audience, extending the reach and impact of our initiative.

Long-term Impact/Outcomes

We aim to influence government policy to incorporate our approach into school curriculums, ensuring long-term sustainability and widespread adoption. By scaling our program to more schools, especially in high-risk regions, we reach a broader demographic of adolescents, reducing the prevalence of SRHR issues. Over five years, our goal is to provide high-quality SRHR education and support to one million adolescents, significantly enhancing their well-being and life choices. Establishing a network of 1,000 peer SRHR advocates creates a lasting support system, promoting healthier behaviors and attitudes surrounding SRHR among adolescents.

The chain of activities, outputs, and outcomes demonstrates that our solution directly empowers adolescents with knowledge, support, and access to adolescents and youths friendly SRHR services, ultimately leading to better decision-making and healthier lives. 

Our team comprises three (03) full-time staff members, for this solution, we will bring along one (01) dedicated contractor for the SRHR expert position. Additionally, as part of our standard practice, we regularly host two (2) interns/part-time concurrently. These interns actively contribute to project implementation while simultaneously honing their skills and gaining valuable hands-on experience through their assigned responsibilities.

The Elimika na Mwajuma Animation project was initiated in June 2022, marking one year of dedicated effort since its inception. As we celebrate this one-year milestone, we are now poised to expand the scope of our animation series, addressing additional critical issues that impact the lives of adolescents and women in Tanzania.

At OVAH, we believe that incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work is fundamental to our mission. We recognize that these principles are not merely buzzwords but must be actively embedded in our organization's DNA. For example: While our programs primarily focus on girls and young women, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive approach that actively engages boys and young men. By involving them in our programming, we aim to ensure that they not only reap the benefits but also become strong allies in our mission. We are also committed to creating an inclusive and enabling environment for individuals from marginalized backgrounds, including those living with disabilities to break down barriers and provide all girls and young women with equitable access to the vital services and education we offer.

Additionally:

1. We have inclusive Hiring Practices as we actively seek candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for growth and advancement. Our recruitment process emphasizes a candidate's potential, skills, and passion for our mission, rather than their demographic attributes.

2. Equity-Centered Program Design - in designing our programs, we focus on addressing disparities and eliminating systemic barriers. We proactively identify the hurdles that have prevented marginalized groups such as adolescents and young women with disabilities and carefully craft to bridge these gaps, ensuring that all individuals have an equal opportunity to benefit from our work.

3. We maintain open feedback communications with our team and the communities we serve. We encourage discussions around diversity, equity, and inclusion and are receptive to feedback that helps us improve our approach. We hold ourselves accountable for creating environments where all members feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

Key Activities, Resources, and Partnerships

Our key activities are: 

1. Co-creating Elimika na Mwajuma with adolescents to address critical topics related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

2. Distributing the video through partner organizations such as E-learning platforms, civil organizations, and so on to use our animation as SBCC materials in their programming. We will also establish partnerships with television and radio channels to stream our animation to provide this critical information to more adolescents 

3. Training sessions will be held in selected schools to provide extensive education on SRHR and to develop structures for running school clubs.

4. School nurses receive capacity-building training in SRHR.

Our Key Resources and partnerships include 

• Our most valuable resource is our team SRHR expert who will implement this project. 

• Animator and voiceover artists.

• Our partnerships with students and schools.

• Reference materials necessary for comprehensive SRHR education

• Necessary permits from the Ministry of Heath,  and the Tanzania I Institute of Education 

• We already have permits from the Film Board Tanzania to produce animation and TAMISEMI to engage with schools. 

Type of Interventions, Beneficiaries, and Customers, and Value Proposition

Our interventions: Animation development, Distribution and Outreach, Training Sessions, and Capacity Building. 

Our beneficiaries include adolescents, young adults, and marginalized individuals who lack access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services. Another beneficiary group is Educational institutions especially public secondary schools that we will be working with.  TV and radio stations interested in licensing our animation content for broadcast represent a customer group. Advertisers who wish to place ads within our content are also customers. We reach our beneficiaries and customers through physical meetings, online platforms, and media platforms. 

We provide accessible and youth-friendly relevant ASRHR information and services through the active participation of adolescents, breaking barriers, and building new structures in accessing ASRHR. Our impact indicators include the number of adolescents impacted by our direct programming (co-creation and training), the reach of our animation via other platforms in the general public targeting adolescents and young women, and the number of adolescents impacted by the school nurses and peer ASRHR advocates. We will look at the increase in SRHR knowledge, behaviour changes such as adaptation of safe practices eg engaging in safe sex, regular medical check-ups, voluntary family planning, and good menstrual hygiene, and increased utilization of SRHR services including consultations with school nurses and participation in school clubs. We will also monitor the academic performance and attendance of students who participate in our programs to assess if SRHR education positively affects their overall well-being and educational outcomes.

Cost and Revenue

Our primary costs are related to animation production, training, and logistics, distribution, acquiring necessary permits and partnerships, and marketing. We plan to meet these expenses through fundraising and grants, consultancy fees, and advertising within our content.

Fundraising and Grants: We actively pursue fundraising opportunities and grants through funding opportunities, CSR, solicited proposals, and competitive grants. 

Education and Capacity-building Services: We plan to offer comprehensive education and capacity-building services at a fee to private institutions, including private schools, parents, guardians, and other interested parties. 

Consultation Services: We plan to provide consultation services to institutions, such as workplaces, focusing on employee training on Sexual Violence, SRHR, and so on to create safe, healthy, and inclusive environments. 

Licensing Animation Content for distribution purposes.  Our animation content holds significant value, not only as an educational tool but also as a resource. We plan to license our animation content to TV and radio stations, allowing them to utilize our material for broadcast. 

We plan to include advertisements within our animation content. Advertisers who align with our mission and values can promote their products or services through our content, providing a revenue stream that complements our efforts.