When Youth Voices Rise, Changes Follows
Change does not always start in meeting rooms. Sometimes, it starts with a Lyrics, Beat, a brush, a voice, or a Story. During Tanzania National Youth Week 2025, Kaa Kijanja Organisation brought together over 20 young artists from Mbeya Region and proved one powerful truth: when youth are empowered, they become leaders of change.
Through art and creativity, these young artists are now taking bold steps to speak out against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), promote Reproductive Health, mental well-being, and inspire positive life skills among young people and communities. This impactful training was organized in partnership with DSW Tanzania and the Mbeya Regional Secretariat, fully aligned with Kaa Kijanja’s mission; to create safe, creative spaces where youth access well-being information and drive positive social change.
Art That Speaks the Language of Youth
That is why Kaa Kijanja uses art as a language, not just entertainment. In Mbeya, artists
learned how to turn serious topics such as GBV, Health, and Life Skills into messages that
are clear, creative, and relatable.
The training officially opened on 6 October 2025, by the Head of the Community Development
Department, Mbeya Region Ms. Elukaga Mwalukasa. She introduced the National Plan of Action
to End Violence Against Women and Children (2024/25–2028/29) and challenged artists to step
up not only as creatives, but as community educators and advocates.
Her message was strong and clear: “youth voices matter, and art has power when used with
purpose”.
Real Conversations About Youth Health
Health topics were not treated as theory. They were treated as real life. Dr. Mariam Mhanjim from Mbeya Referral Hospital led sessions on Reproductive Health, Youth-Friendly Services, and Life Skills. Participants were encouraged to ask questions, speak freely, and understand their bodies and choices without fear or shame.
Mental health took the spotlight through powerful sessions by Dr. Reinfridy Chombo. He spoke honestly about financial stress, pressure, expectations, and emotional struggles especially among youth artists. His message hit home: Your mental health matters. Taking care of yourself is part of success. He encouraged discipline, resilience, and balance tools youth need to grow as artists, leaders, and responsible citizens.
Youth Leading Youth, Art Leading Change
The Mbeya Regional Youth Coordinator, Mr. Francis Ngelela, reminded participants that young people are not just the future they are the present. He challenged them to use their art to confront harmful norms, challenge toxic traditions, and inspire their peers to choose positive paths. The training officially closed with a strong call to action from ASP Veronica Ponera, Head of the Gender and Children Desk, Mbeya Region. She emphasized Art as a powerful weapon against Gender Based violence, discrimination, and harmful traditional Beliefs.
When Art speaks, communities listen.
At the end of the Capacity Building Training, the REST Project Champions 2025 Journey Begins. All participating artists received certificates and were proudly recognized as REST Project Champions and Kaa Kijanja Campaign Ambassadors 2025. These young creatives are now using music, performance, visuals, and storytelling to spread messages of respect, equality, health, and dignity across Mbeya and beyond. This initiative is part of the Reproductive Equity Strategic in Tanzania (REST II) Project, which supports young people to lead meaningful change in their communities. For Kaa Kijanja Organisation, this was not just a workshop. It was a spark. A reminder that youth power is real, and creativity can move society forward. Through art, these young artists are not waiting for change. They are creating it. And this is only the beginning.
#SayNoToGBV #KaaKijanja #ArtsCaravan #Mbeya #YouthPower
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