RAP-song workshop in Tanzania , 7-13 May 2007
A 3 day educational workshop on 'sexual and reproductive health and rights' and sexuality issues was developed, implemented and co facilitated in May 2007. This workshop was facilitated and at the same time messages were developed as part of the RAP-song making process. A documentary, video and pictures were shot on the process on the (making of) the RAP-song itself.
The tasks of the facilitators were positively valued to guide the participants to increase their knowledge and address their attitudes on SRHR issues. The workshop and the RAP-song development were not separated as such. The need was felt by the facilitators to conclude that the various topics should address messages which could be discussed and incorporated in the lyrics of the participants.
It took some time before facilitators and the participants got acquainted with each others expertise. Facilitators were used to give workshops on the various SHR issues and participants, as singers and musicians, were able to create the basis for the RAP-song. Facilitators and participants had to work together to find out how to work on the messages, which had to be created from the content of the SRHR workshop and the dialogue with the participants. In a short time (3 days) we felt that a huge task was performed from both sides. During the fourth day of the workshop, due to the performed draft lyrics, the facilitators recalled the specified messages for the various target groups which were discussed. That dialogue gave an impulse to adjust the lyrics and melody into the finally produced RAP-song .
Participants, Youth Action Movement facilitator, RAP-song project Coordinator and involved Youth Manager, had enormous input on the whole process during the 6-day workshop to finalise the output. The RAP-song is most welcomed by all involved. It reflects rights and SRH issues and it highlights the different tasks of people at various levels to implement policies for and address attitudes towards youth on SRHR.
Between 14-17 May further discussions on the implementation plan were discussed which should be followed up by action.
First meeting of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, 17 - 20 April 2007
Since the start of The Partnership Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in 2005 Rutgers Nisso Groep / Youth Incentives is a partner in the Constituency Group of NGO's. The Partnership has six Constituency Groups (Government, UN/Multilaterals, Donors, NGO's, Academics, and Health Care Professionals) and four Working Groups (Advocacy, Country Support, Effective Interventions, Monitoring & Evaluation). Youth Incentives attended the first meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in April 2007.
During this meeting all members of The Partnership came together, face to face, to renew our mutual commitment in achieving the Millenium Development Goals 4 and 5. The meeting provided a global platform for high-level advocacy, as well as an opportunity to discuss the strategy, priorities and governance of The Partnership.
Family Planning and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights were topics that were scarcely discussed. The main focus of the sessions was on providing services for pregnancy and deliveries. Youth Incentives and 2 other NGO's working in the field of SRHR expressed the need of having prevention, sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health services at a more prominent place in the discussion about reducing maternal, newborn and child health. Another opportunity to meet this need will be presented at the conference 'Women Deliver' in october 2007 in London where The Partnership will continue its discussion.
Please download the factsheet on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health of The Partnership.
Reports from a hospital in West Tanzania,
spring 2007
Leonora Louter is a Dutch medical student. She was our reporter in West Tanzania, where she worked temporarily in a hospital. Read Leonora's reports .
Unicef launches online Swahili game for HIV prevention
On 30 October 2006 Unicef launched its first interactive feature in Swahili: an online game that empowers young people to make good life choices about and prevent HIV. The game, called 'Ungefanyaje' or 'What would you do?' in Swahili, takes the player through a series of relationship-based scenarios that emphasize the importance of HIV prevention and testing. Read more....
Consultancy in Tanzania, October 31 – November 3, 2005
During this consultancy Youth Incentives assisted in revising the project proposal of UMATI (Uzazi na Malezi Bora Tanzania). The proposal was based on the advise of the recent board meeting of the Youth Incentives Fund. Participants of the meeting were UMATI staff members and young people, who discussed intensively the changes to be made to the proposal. A revised proposal was the result, which will be approved by the Board in the nearby future.
