Legal and behavior change process (BCP) trainings were carried out at Bugarika Secondary School in Mwanza, Tanzania. EBLI staff members Rose Edward and Gertruda Swai led this training over the course of three days 28-30 July 2016. About fifty secondary school students were in attendance. This training focused on sexual and reproductive health and human rights (SRHR) issues, particularly as it relates to pertinent teen issues. Like all of our BCP activities, this training aimed to help empower young people to choose healthy futures for themselves, putting aside unhealthy and destructive behaviors such as casual sex, and alcohol and drug abuse. The goal is for every student to reach his or her potential and thrive.

Project Manager, Rose Edward, along with social worker, Gertruda Swai, led a child protection policy training at the office of EBLI on 23 July 2016. This training, which was attended by approximately sixty secondary school students, sought to educate young people about their laws and rights as citizens, particularly as it concerns issues of sexual abuse and gender based discrimination. All of the attending students are members in a Kijana Chagua Maisha ("Youth Choose Life") student-led club in a Mwanza-area secondary school. During this training, some necessary but difficult topics were discussed, including the issue of rape. Students were able to speak from experience about the matter, and even cited specific examples in which a young woman was raped by one or more men, and reporting it to the police. This child protection policy training makes it clear that such behavior is entirely unacceptable and that all humans have worth, dignity and should be respected. 

During the month of March, EBLI conducted trainings on behavior change process (BCP) in five Mwanza-area secondary schools, including: Mahina, Mapango, Igogo, Igelegele and Mhandu. Combined, these trainings reached 205 secondary school students, roughly evenly split between males and females. These trainings were facilitated by two EBLI staff members, Rose Edward and Gertruda Swai, along with the support of five young mothers who have passed through EBLI computer literacy and business training.

Throughout the training, students pass through the three stages of BCP: (1) know and accept the current behavior, (2) choose and commit to a new behavior, and (3) act. In the end, questions are formulated using solution focused approach (SFA) to act on the desired changes in behavior. The process enables the students to have a positive attitude in dealing with life issues, and it also facilitates future goal planning and how to achieve those goals. A case study from the young mothers who helped facilitate is also used to give the students a reality and clear understanding of teen pregnancy and its consequences. Other participatory methods used during the training include creative drawing. 

Ultimately, BCP trainings in schools, combined with the methodology of SFA, is a proven mechanism for reducing the rate of school dropout due to pregnancy. For specific numbers on the achievements of the project, visit the EBLI page on Impact.

Today EBLI is excited to announce the formation of Hamasa!

Hamasa is a coalition of six organizations working in Tanzania dedicated to creating opportunities for young people. Other partners include Humuliza, KIVIDEA, MUVIMAWAKA, NELICO, and Wadada Centre For SFA. Combined the partner organizations are working in Mwanza, Geita, Kagera and Kigoma areas of Tanzania.

Together we will be able to advocate for the rights of Tanzanian youth with a greater voice to help create a future free from violence and exploitation. "Mshikamano chachu ya maendeleo...Cooperation is the catalyst for development."

​A special thanks to our common donor terre des hommes schweiz for making this possible.