SRHR Success Stories

Ashura Shija, 22 years old

Singita village, Usanda Ward

Sexual and reproductive health and rights education has helped me a lot. I was not aware of the effects of giving birth at a young age, including fistula. I have attended two training sessions that have both widened my knowledge. Now, I sit down and talk to my young sisters and brothers using age-appropriate skills. I believe that we will not experience any child pregnancy in our family. I insist that they study hard. In our society, it was believed that when a girl reaches adolescence, she should get married rather than study. Through Agape’s efforts, we are educating the community that girls should not get pregnant or get married before they complete their studies. I believe that our society understands and is implementing this approach. We had a knowledge-sharing meeting at Malasi, which involved people with special needs. I hope that this awareness will help them as much as it did me. It will be sustainable as we keep sharing it with others. I advise Agape to keep on educating people so that everyone can have this education and go shoulder to shoulder with us. I believe that child pregnancy and early, child and forced marriage will be abolished completely in Usanda Ward.

True Stories

Shija's Success

Shija (Not her real name) joined Agape Knowledge Open School in 2014 from Mijongo village in Kishapu District – Shinyanga. She was among the girl recruited form community awareness activities – Cinema in Kishapu District. Shija was a victim of early pregnancy. She got pregnant at the age of 16 when she was in form II. She was expelled from school; her dreams of becoming a lawyer dimmed. But because her dream still lived inside her; a year later when an opportunity presented itself, she took it.
“I am very grateful to Agape for taking me in, giving me another chance to education. I was among 30 girls who passed form II QT exams (Qualifying Test) and I was among ….. girls who graduated in 2017. My pass marks allowed me to progress to A-level studies. I joined Buluba Secondary school and graduated my studies with the support from Agape.” She spoke. She is now a student in Makumira University pursuing a bachelors Degree in Education. “Becoming a teacher is still a dream come true for me as I will be building a better future generation. Again, Thanks to Agape for holding my hand this far, I couldn’t have done it without them”
“I encourage other girls out there not to give up on their dream. Life is really difficult especially for girls in rural areas. They encounter multiple challenges: poverty, harmful traditional practices, poor parenting and guidance. Girls find themselves in situations and temptations that lead to child pregnancy. After that, they are discoraged by their relatives and community members as they don’t believe young mothers can go back to school” She insisted.
She advised that despite unavoidable challenges, especially during puberty, Sexual and Reproductive education is important for adolescents. Parents should also take responsibility to educate them and guide them more closely during that period of their lives.

Success Stories

Cuso International in partnership with Agape AIDS Control Programme, Shinyanga, Tanzania Agape AIDS Control Programme recently implemented the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights project in Usanda Ward, Shinyanga, Tanzania. Cuso International is an active partner of this dynamic community organization. Children, adolescents and young people were empowered to make informed decisions and choices to avoid child, early and forced marriage, child pregnancy, HIV/STI infections, and gender-based violence, so as to reach their full potential. The impact of this project includes a reduction of child pregnancy cases in Usanda Ward from 19, in 2016, to only 1 case up to June 2019. The presentation of project outcomes is delivered by the Agape AIDS Control Programme project officer, Lucy Maganga, before an open discussion among participants, including Cuso International volunteers, Marilyn Farmer and Rick Harvey. Communication and outreach can extend all that we have learned to promote these benefits to more people. Poverty is a major contributing factor to child, early and forced marriage and pregnancy. Human Rights Watch and Tanzania Ending Child Marriage Network report that current government data estimates the rate at more than 35% nationally, and 59% in Shinyanga. 21% of Tanzanian girls aged 15 to 19 have given birth, with this number closer to 45% in Shinyanga. Working with children, adolescents and young people as agents of change for better health and education can result in remarkable social advancement. Agape AIDS Control Programme also educates up to 60 girls rescued from child, early and forced marriage and gender-based violence resulting in child pregnancy at its residential learning centre in Chibe, near Shinyanga, Tanzania. The Agape Knowledge Open School protects and educates female students who hope to graduate with secondary school certificates. There is a great need for support for these marginalized girls. The Law of Marriage Act of 1971 allows female marriage after the age of 15, and the Education Act of 1978 forbids married students to continue to attend public schools. Agape and Cuso International work to ultimately change local beliefs and practices and influence policy and law reform to enable children, adolescents and young people to thrive as they realize their dreams and take their rightful place as leaders of tomorrow. Participants, including Cuso volunteers Marilyn Farmer and Rick Harvey, follow the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights project documentary carefully. It was shared with great interest during the meeting, and will inspire ongoing representation and advocacy for the advancement of improved quality of life for all. Cuso International is proud to partner with Agape AIDS Control Programme and the Agape Knowledge Open School.