How we work: Youth Associations in Tanzania
In Tanzania, our Youth Associations provide a vital stepping stone for vulnerable young people to gain life and employment skills to shape their futures.
Empowering young people to build brighter futures
While we strive to reunite street-connected children in Tanzania with their families, for some older young people this isn’t possible.
So instead, we empower them to build their own paths, through Youth Associations.
These dynamic groups bring together young people aged 15-24 to learn new skills, develop crucial life skills and support each other on their journey to independence.
Members choose a trade, like mechanics, tailoring, or catering, and build practical skills that can lead to apprenticeships or even starting their own businesses.
Focusing on vocational training helps them establish a stable income and secure their long-term future.
Although we help facilitate them, Youth Associations are led by their members.
We’ve seen many young people emerge as capable leaders who inspire others to take control of their lives and shape their communities for the better.
How Bahati’s learned to support herself
Bahati*, aged 21, found new hope and direction through the Youth Association program.
Despite her difficult early life and health challenges, she learned to make and sell products like soap and batik fabric, gaining the skills and confidence to support herself.
Bahati has since become an ambassador for the programme, encouraging other young people to transform their futures.
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A decade of impact
Over the past decade, we’ve supported 87 Youth Association groups, enabling thousands of young people to become self-reliant and valued members of their communities.
In 2023 alone, we established 12 new Youth Associations, transforming the lives of 240 young people.
The true measure of success for a Youth Association is when young people become self-sufficient.
We celebrate this achievement with a graduation ceremony, marking their independence and readiness to thrive.
What do young people learn at Youth Associations?
Jack’s story: From the streets to self-sustaining
We first met 14-year-old Jack in Mwanza after he’d been living on the streets for over a year.
His parents had separated, and his mother didn’t have space to accommodate him, so he’d been living with his grandfather. But he was only given one meal to eat a day and didn’t feel cared for, so he ran away.
On the streets, he struggled to find food and shelter and experienced violence. After our street workers had addressed his direct needs, they connected him with a Youth Association group.
Jack chose to pursue poultry keeping as a means of self-support. He received bio-intensive agriculture skills training in poultry keeping and a startup grant to purchase four chickens.
We also helped his mother access business management skills training and a startup grant of Tsh 100,000/- to begin a sardine and vegetable business.
Today, Jack continues to care for his poultry and has also learned construction work as an additional skill. He is happily living at home, and his relationship with his mother has significantly improved.
Beyond skills: confidence and community
Our Youth Associations offer far more than just technical skills.
By engaging in sports, recreational activities, and even camping trips, members build trust, communication, and cooperation – which are essential for success in all aspects of life.
Through these activities, they learn valuable life skills like punctuality and positive behaviour, while also developing leadership skills and an understanding of active citizenship.
Many go on to become advocates for positive change in their communities, speaking out about important issues and taking impactful action.
Through these groups, young people are taking ownership of their futures and working together to create a safer and happier communities.
