Community Outreach Triumph: Young and Alive Initiative Leads Cervical Cancer Awareness in Tandale.

 On January 19, 2026, Young and Alive Initiative (YAI) partnered with Tandale Hospital and Community Health Workers (CWH) for a large-scale community awareness and education campaign. The objective was to empower the community surrounding Tandale Hospital with knowledge on cancer, the importance of the cancer vaccine, and early screening. 

The collaborative team conducted an intensive outreach in various neighborhoods, reaching citizens directly in their workplaces and homes. Through clear and simple language, the team provided in depth education on several key topics, including; 

• What cervical cancer is and how it develops. 

• The causes and risk factors of the disease. 

• The benefits and crucial importance of early screening and treatment for women. 

• The vital role of the cancer vaccine for girls starting from 13 years old.

The campaign strongly encouraged community members to visit the nearby Tandale Hospital for screening, treatment, and vaccination.

Were also engaging men to be Champions that was a core focus of the outreach, by being educated on cancer and encouraged to be at the forefront of supporting their wives, partners, and families. We emphasized the need for men to overcome misconceptions and existing community stigma, maintain body hygiene, consider male circumcision as a way to reduce cancer risk factors and protect their partners. 

The overall message was one of hope and action, underscoring the fact that cervical cancer is treatable if detected early. The collaboration between YAI, Tandale Hospital, and Community Health Workers resulted in citizens coming forward to receive screening and medical services.

UVITA Project: Ensuring Data Quality through Piloting and Mentorship

UVITA Project kicked off the year with two essential activities in Dar es Salaam Mbagala, focusing on preparing the team for research on youth well-being, mental health, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). 

1.UVITA Project: Ensuring Data Quality through Piloting and Mentorship.

 A research piloting study was conducted in conjunction with the mapping of 90 key informant interviewees. This activity involved peer researchers and research mentors in a prior practice session designed to assess the peer researchers' abilities, identify lessons learned, and equip them with the skills to adapt to changes before field data collection. This preparatory session was crucial for ensuring the authenticity, credibility, reliability, and validity of the data to be collected.

2.Peer Researchers Mentorship (January 23 & 30, 2026) 

The piloting, peer researchers’ mentorship sessions were conducted as an ongoing part of their induction and capacity building. These sessions focused on monitoring progress and adjusting to challenges, lessons learned, and any ambiguities encountered with the research data collection tools. The continuous mentorship is designed to anticipate and mitigate any risks that might jeopardize the project’s deliverables.

ORASS Project Milestone: Handover of Sports Equipment at Miguwa Secondary School, Tabora 

Obstacle Race Against Stigma and Shame (ORASS) project, On February 19, 2026, a vital youth-led initiative focused on mental health and stigma reduction, reached a significant milestone at Miguwa Secondary School in Tabora. 

Our team officially handed over a variety of sports and interactive game equipment to the school administration and students. These resources are an integral part of the project's strategy, as they are specifically designed to; Boost student morale and motivation, which in turn supports school retention, encouraging students to engage in our unique 'obstacle based' learning games. 

Through this interactive approach, students develop the necessary resilience and skills to navigate mental health challenges effectively in their school environment, communities, and personal lives. By fostering joy, professional awareness, and a comprehensive understanding of mental health, ORASS affirms that mental health support is crucial for everyone, everywhere, at any time.

Youth Voices Shaping Climate Governance in Tanzania

Local Youth Forum defines a Youth Engagement Manifesto for inclusive climate decision-making.

As part of the WORLD Our World Our Planet Project, YAI successfully conducted Activity T6.1: The Local Youth Forum for the Definition of a Youth Engagement in Decisional Processes Manifesto. The forum created a vibrant and purposeful space where young people across Tanzania could speak, connect, and contribute to a shared vision for climate governance.

The event brought together 43 participants representing a rich cross-section of Tanzania’s emerging generation of climate leaders including youth workers, students, climate justice champions, environmentalists, young women, and teachers. Their diversity was both its strength and its statement: climate action must be inclusive to be effective.

This forum is a clear demonstration of what becomes possible when young people are given a genuine platform. YAI remains committed to ensuring that the energy, creativity, and moral clarity of Tanzania’s youth are at the centre of every climate conversation.

VCAT Workshop in Dodoma: Navigating SRHR Advocacy and Policy 

A significant workshop was held in Dodoma, On January 26th and 27th, 2026 under the auspices of Marie Stopes International. The event focused on the Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) training within the realm of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). 

The core of the workshop centered on critical policy discussions, including, USAID Global Health MoU; An analysis of the USAID five-year Global Health Memorandum of Understanding and its implications, as well as associated impacts on SRHR in the Tanzanian context, International Declarations; The relationship between the USAID MoU and the Geneva Consensus Declaration (GCD 2020) in the context of ratifying the Maputo Protocol, Anti-Rights Emergence; A discussion on the emergence of anti-rights movements in Tanzania, specifically referencing the ODUI Lous shop solution in Arusha. A major outcome of the workshop was a focused discussion on how to effectively apply SMART advocacy principles to ensure the provision of SRHR services, particularly when engaging with opposition and anti-rights groups.

Young & Alive Initiative at the Young Mothers Consortium Workshop in Nairobi 9th–11th February 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya 

Young & Alive Initiative, represented by our Program Director Fatmah Suleyman, participated in a three day Young Mothers Consortium Workshop in Nairobi. The convening brought together consortium partners to strengthen research approaches, align on narrative strategies, and co create pathways for advancing young mothers’ voices and experiences. 

Strengthening Research for Impact 

The first two days focused on developing case study frameworks and a data collection plan under the guidance of ICRW. The aim is to generate evidence that captures both project-level and country specific insights on young mothers’ realities.

The research will explore:

• Identity & Lived Experience 

• How young mothers’ identities shape their needs, roles, engagement, and program outcomes. 

• Integrated & Two-Generation Approach 

• How programs influence empowerment, access, agency, and wellbeing for both mothers and their children. 

• Unintended Outcomes 

• Understanding both positive and negative effects beyond planned project results. 

• Actionable Insights 

• Generating lessons for replication, scale-up, and policy influence. 

Key outputs from these sessions included: 

• A prepared general case study framework for the research 

• Agreement on core thematic domains 

• Review and alignment of the data collection plan 

• Emphasis on qualitative, experience-driven evidence 

• Commitment to capturing both intended and unintended outcomes

Shaping Narratives for Change (Day 3)

The final day focused on narrative and storytelling as tools for change, recognizing the power of stories in shaping perceptions, influencing policy, and amplifying young mothers’ voices. Through sessions facilitated by IRIS, participants explored: 

• Dominant vs. emerging narratives around young mothers 

• Strengthening shared messaging across partners 

• Building a collective narrative strategy

This was followed by a session with DOCUBOX, which introduced: 

• Practical storytelling and media engagement tools 

• Approaches to narrative change through visual and creative storytelling 

• The role of storytelling in long term advocacy and social transformation As a next step, DOCUBOX will conduct Storytelling and Technical Skills Workshops in Nairobi, open to both anchor partners & communicationpersons.

VIRTUAL FINANCE WORKSHOP  

YAI Team successfully completed an engaging, three day intensive virtual workshop from March 9 to 11, 2026. The workshop was designed to align the organization's financial practices with international donor standards. These sessions were both practice and technical, equipping participants with the frameworks needed to manage grant funding with greater rigor and confidence. A three day virtual training focused on strengthening the Organization's Financial Maturity covering cost principles, procurement, fraud prevention, and grant agreement management.

The workshop marks a significant step forward in YAI commitment to FInancial accountability and transparency. The finance Team will now implement the agreed action items and embed these standards into the organization's day to day operations.

Fostering Understanding: Training on Attitudes, Values, and Comprehensive Abortion Care. 

On January 19, 2026 a crucial training session was conducted at the MEDECINS DU MONDE Offices in Masaki to address the sensitive and critical topic of attitudes and values concerning abortion.

Attendees from various organizations, including Charlotte From, Dorice, Dr. Frank, Anthony, Suzana, and William from MEDECINS DU MONDE (MDM), Sia from Young and Alive (YAI), and Bibie from BSF, participated in a co-operative discussion. The primary goal was to encourage participants to understand their own values and attitudes and how we can use these lessons to apply in community work.

Download more info here;

Final Newsletter (1).pdf

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