Giving Tanzania's Young People a Brighter Future

Meet Mwajuma.

Due to economic hardships, Mwajuma was unable to complete her secondary education and, without support or provision at home, drifted towards the streets. 

By the time we met her, she was spending her days in dangerous and exploitative work, in a desperate attempt to provide shelter for herself. 

But when our community workers referred Mwajuma to our youth associations, she began to learn the skills that could transform her life. 

Hear Mwajuma's story in her own words

Through receiving emotional support and enrolling in a series of structured training sessions, Mwajuma strengthened her personal and social skills, learnt about adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and built self-awareness and confidence. She also enrolled in a six-month apprenticeship programme in hairdressing and salon management.

And today? She's running a successful beauty salon.

"The income I earn allows me to meet my basic needs, pay business and household rent and provide financial support to my family," she says.

Mwajuma's story role as a resilient and independent young woman has also earnt her respect and a voice within her community. 

Your support is a catalyst for change

In the regions we work in Tanzania, our 25 youth associations provide:

• emotional and mental health support
• life skills and personal development
• solidarity and peer support, and
• trade skills and business training

But it's stories like Mwajuma's that show how important that initial moment of support is in helping young people enrol in our youth associations and start their journey to change.

Last year, the skills learnt through these associations, along with vital start-up grants, enabled 568 young people at risk of, or already living on the streets, to transform their lives. 

Thank you for making this possible for young people like Mwajuma.

Links:

• Find out more about our Youth Association work