Laying the Groundwork for Youth SRHR: Introducing the Kijana Jifunze Jitunze Project in Kisarawe.

What does it take to ensure that adolescents and young people have the information, support and services they need to make safe and informed choices?

In Kisarawe District, the answer begins with conversation, collaboration and leadership commitment.

Across Tanzania, adolescents and young people continue to face significant challenges in accessing accurate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and youth-friendly services. Limited access to information, alongside stigma and cultural barriers, has contributed to high rates of teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence (GBV), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). National data show that 27% of girls aged 15–19 have already begun childbearing, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive, youth-centered SRHR interventions.

It is within this context that C-SEMA, in partnership with Terre des Hommes Schweiz, is implementing the Kijana Jifunze Jitunze Project, an initiative designed to strengthen SRHR awareness, life skills and access to youth-friendly services for adolescents and young people aged 12–24 years in Kisarawe District, Pwani Region.

L-R: Mr. Michael Marwa (National Child Helpline Director), Hon. Petro Magoti (DC, Kisarawe), and Ms. Fatuma Kamramba (C-SEMA Head of Programs) during a strategic briefing on community safeguarding efforts.

Beginning with leadership and system readiness

As part of Phase One: Foundation and Pilot Implementation, C-SEMA conducted courtesy calls with district leadership on 31st December 2025, ahead of full project implementation from 2026 to 2028. This phase focuses on baseline assessments, stakeholder capacity building and system strengthening, including referral pathways and youth-friendly service points.

A core component of the project is the promotion of the National Child Helpline (116) as a confidential and accessible platform for information, counselling, and referrals related to SRHR, protection, and psychosocial support.

The courtesy meetings were attended by representatives from C-SEMA, including the Director of the National Child Helpline, the Head of Programmes, a Project Officer, and an Impact & Assessment Analyst, reflecting a coordinated approach to prevention, response and accountability.

Situating SRHR within local realities

During the courtesy call with the Kisarawe District Commissioner, Hon. Petro Magoti, district-level challenges affecting adolescents and young people were discussed, providing important context for project implementation. The District Commissioner highlighted that Kisarawe continues to experience high school dropout rates, with recent data indicating that more than 800 students have left school, largely linked to early pregnancy, limited life skills and inadequate access to SRHR information and support services.

He emphasized that the Kijana Jifunze Jitunze Project, with its focus on SRHR education, life skills development and youth-friendly support mechanisms, is well positioned to contribute to addressing these interconnected challenges and supporting adolescents to remain in school.

The District Commissioner further noted concerns regarding students officially registered as boarding students who are not residing in school hostels but instead renting accommodation outside school premises. This situation exposes adolescents to reduced supervision and increased vulnerability, heightening risks of early pregnancy, unsafe relationships, and child marriage. These realities, he emphasized, reinforce the importance of strengthening protective systems at both school and community levels.

Hon. Petro Magoti (DC, Kisarawe) shaking hands with Ms. Jennipha Kalman Project Officer for the Kijana Jifunze Jitunze Project.

Strengthening coordination for effective implementation

In addition to the meeting with the District Commissioner, the project team also held a courtesy meeting with the District Executive Director (DED), Mr. Nyahori Mahumbwe. During the meeting, the team formally introduced C-SEMA and Terre des Hommes Schweiz and outlined the objectives and scope of the Kijana Jifunze Jitunze Project.

(L-R) Mr. Michael Marwa, DED Mr. Nanyori Mahumbwe, Ms. Fatuma Kamramba, and Ms. Jennipha Kalman. The C-SEMA team met with the District Executive Director to align regional goals with national child protection standards.

The DED expressed strong support for the initiative and affirmed his readiness to provide the necessary assistance to facilitate effective implementation. He further indicated willingness to host an official engagement involving Social Welfare Officers, Community Development Officers, and other relevant district officials, to strengthen coordination, alignment, and shared ownership at district level.

In addition to expressing his support, the District Executive Director offered key recommendations to guide effective implementation of the project. He encouraged the project team to remain attentive to emerging gaps and opportunities affecting adolescents and youth in Kisarawe District, noting that these insights could inform future programming. He also emphasized the importance of conducting introductory and consultative engagements at the regional level, including meetings with the Regional Commissioner and relevant regional officers such as the Regional Social Welfare Officer and Regional Education Officer, to ensure alignment, coordination and broader institutional support.

Laying a foundation for partnership and impact

The courtesy calls with the Kisarawe District Commissioner and District Executive Director marked an important first step in establishing collaboration, trust, and local ownership for the Kijana Jifunze Jitunze Project. The discussions highlighted key SRHR-related challenges affecting adolescents and young people in the district while demonstrating strong leadership commitment to addressing them through coordinated, youth-centered approaches.

As the project moves forward, this early engagement provides a solid foundation for effective partnership, strengthened systems, and sustainable impact. By investing in SRHR education, life skills development and accessible support mechanisms, the Kijana Jifunze Jitunze Project aims to support adolescents and young people in Kisarawe to make informed choices, stay protected and build healthier futures.

Prepared by C-Sema's Communications & Advocacy Team.