NEWS: Young reporters' network empowers youth to be heard in Tanzania (AFRICA)

By Jacqueline Namfua

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, 27 May 2011 – Modest, 17, has been living on the streets of Moshi in the Kilimanjaro Region for the past 14 months. Despite his grim upbringing and current situation, he has found a way to get his story heard and learn new skills – by joining the Young Reporters Network.

Gaining a voice

“I am really happy with this radio training, because it has helped me understand the position I am in now and my future potential,” he said. “It has enabled me to meet many people. I have learned to operate a recorder, and also to conduct an interview and create a talk show.”

Child rights hardly feature in the mainstream media and the voices of young people remain significantly muted in Tanzania, even though they face a multitude of challenges and obstacles to their growth and development.

full article

NEWS / WORKSHOPS: Young Journalists workshop helps children raise awareness on HIV stigma in Zanzibar (AFRICA)

Young Journalists workshop helps children raise awareness on HIV stigma in Zanzibar

By Jacqueline Namfua

ZANZIBAR CITY, Tanzania, 05 January 2010 - During a seven-day Young Journalists Workshop at the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) Children’s Panorama, 24 children who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS had an opportunity to share their experiences.

“Everyone sits far away from you and the nurses give you this horrible look and attitude just because you are HIV-positive,” said Haulat, a 17-year-old orphan and workshop participant from Zanzibar.

The workshop participants belong to the Zanzibar Association of People Living with HIV/ AIDS (ZAPHA+) support groups scattered across Unguja and Pemba islands. These groups, supported by UNICEF, provide counselling, support and education for children facing challenges while living with HIV.

At the workshop, the children wrote their own articles and features for a newsletter, which was later distributed during the 10-day festival. The newsletters were also sent out to schools in Unguja and Pemba to raise awareness about HIV and reduce stigma and discrimination against children infected and/or affected by HIV and AIDS.

full article