What do grassroots youth leaders do when funds and donors are nowhere to be found?
by Innocent Grant
"I started mobilizing my fellow youth in Geita Region by buying a crate of soda for 7,000 Tsh (about $2), as that was the only money I had to start with," says Mwarabu during a plenary session at the Young and Alive Summit. "I decided to invest this small resource into a session focused on life skills, including communication and negotiation skills, particularly with local political leaders since I knew how to navigate these interactions."
The young leaders trained in his session successfully built and maintained positive relationships with local government leaders and politicians in Geita.
Since 2021, Mwarabu and his colleagues have received sustainable funding from local government officials and politicians to support their work. They have founded sexual health clubs in primary and secondary schools across Geita, organized outreach programs with healthcare providers, led community dialogues, and worked with government officials to address issues raised by their communities.
Mwarabu notes that politicians and government leaders listen to them because they present authentic stories of what’s happening in Geita’s communities. While pushing for government action remains challenging, Mwarabu emphasizes linking community concerns to decision-makers. "Politicians often incentivize us to bring these issues to light as they inform their political strategies. While this approach may seem controversial to some, what matters is the impact we’re making—raising awareness about AYSRHR issues and ensuring our communities are informed," he explains.
Since 2020, Mwarabu and his group, Youth Power Light for Development, have reached over 4,500 people across Butogela and Bukoli wards, covering nine villages. They rely on resources mobilized through their positive relationships with decision-makers and politicians. In 2022, Mwarabu and his colleagues were nominated for Tanzania’s Youth Leaders Emerging Awards.
Grassroots leaders like Mwarabu deserve to be celebrated and supported for their invaluable work in ensuring equitable access to sexual health information and services within their communities.
The FPNN Community Reporters will bring you behind the scenes to experience the summit as it happens. Follow the journey from December 3–6, 2024 for coverage that is youth-led, youth-focused, and youth-driven.