Eliza Youth Group is a community-based organisation in Dar es Salaam. It was established in 2007 and is currently undergoing the process of registration. There are over 50 members presently and the numbers keep increasing.
Eliza Youth Group was formed with the idea of rehabilitating its vulnerable members of whom some previously worked as sex workers, were drug abusers and other harmful practices which endangered their lives while they tried different ways of sustaining themselves in the hostile environment of 'Hyena square'.
As a result some got infected with HIV, raped or abused. Nevertheless they still expressed the desire to change, accept their status and want to work towards a positive alteration of their lives.
Eliza is one of those who emerged as a very powerful and confident peer educator, who successfully captured many with her real life story 'hyena square' that was produced by Maweni Farm (a Tanzanian production company) in collaboration with other stakeholders. The film is available on DVD.
Through the film Eliza influenced and attracted many young people from the area who showed an enormous interest in what she was doing and wanted to become like her. They formed "Eliza youth group" and managed to convince her to join them. Although most of them wanted to start a different lifestyle, they lacked the basic amenities like shelter and food and therefore kept on wandering the streets of 'hyena square'. This necessitated finding a centre for them. With the help of Maweni Farm a centre was identified and established in Mvuleni, in Manzese area of Kinondoni district.
The Youth group selected 12 of their most needy female members to be accommodated in the centre as an initial programme during the first phase as they come up with ways of supporting themselves. The centre is also a venue for their drama rehearsals and regular meetings.
Objectives
- To reach out to young people who do not have the means of sustaining themselves and have therefore been trapped in prostitution, alcoholism and drug abuse.
- Establishing a forum that mobilises the youths to discuss their problems e.g. prostitution, alcoholism and HIV/AIDS and finding solutions on how to address them.
- Advocating for behaviour change amongst the members hence enabling a re- integration into the society.
- Provide care and support to those living with HIV/AIDS through counselling.
- Starting some income generating activities that will bring some funds to the group while proving employment to its members hence enabling them to be independent. E.g. soap making. Eliza underwent training and is sharing the skill with the group.
Since the establishment of the Eliza Youth Group, the centre has received financial support from Maweni Farm, IOGT and private donations. The centre needs a minimum of 300,000 TSh (ca. 250$) per month for food, medicine and water.
