Ali, a 19-year-old from Bereko, Kondoa in Dodoma, was once a young man with limited opportunities. After completing primary school, he was unable to proceed with his education due to low grades. With no path forward in school, he decided to help his mother run her small restaurant, serving lunch to the community. However, Ali always felt there was more he needed to know—especially about reproductive health, a topic he struggled to discuss openly with his parents due to cultural barriers.
Determined to build a better future, Ali took the initiative to start a small farming group with five of his friends. Pooling their resources, they invested in farming vegetables like bananas, tomatoes, and eggplants. Their efforts gained recognition from local leaders, and soon, they were invited to a training on reproductive health, life skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Overcoming Resistance and Leading Change
Excited by the opportunity, Ali informed his group members about the training, but they dismissed it, believing reproductive health was a “women’s issue.” Undeterred, Ali made the bold decision to attend alone. The five-day training transformed his perspective—he learned about HIV prevention, safe reproductive health practices, and the importance of male involvement in these discussions.
One of the most powerful lessons Ali took away was the need for young men to actively support women in matters of reproductive health. He realised that issues like menstrual health, family planning, and STI prevention were not just for women but for everyone in the community.
Ali prepares to start his motorbike, purchased with earnings from his thriving agribusiness
For too long, we have been told that reproductive health is a ‘women’s issue.’ But how can we build a healthy society if men refuse to be part of the conversation? Women do not live in isolation. They are our mothers, sisters, daughters, and partners. As men, we must stand with them, support them, and educate ourselves.
After completing the training, Ali made a life-changing decision, he went to a health center to get tested for HIV. He was relieved to find out he was negative and immediately started advocating for his friends to do the same. Gradually, his group members began to change their perspective. Three of them have now taken an HIV test and are making informed choices about their health.
Ali also took a special role in guiding his younger sister through reproductive health topics. Since she was too shy to talk to their parents, he became her source of trusted information, even accompanying her to the health center when needed.
Being a man does not mean ignoring women’s struggles, it means understanding them and being part of the solution. If my sister can’t talk to our parents about reproductive health, then I will make sure she has someone to turn to. If my community needs information, I will step up and share what I’ve learned.
Ali carefully inspects his thriving tomato plants, removing insects to keep them healthy.
Today, Ali’s farming group has grown significantly. Their farm now covers 48 x 90 square meters, and they supply fresh produce to the local Bereko market. The entrepreneurship skills he gained from the training helped him improve their agribusiness—managing records, finding better markets, and increasing profitability. With his earnings, Ali even purchased a motorbike, using it for transportation and additional income as a boda-boda rider, earning up to TZS 10,000 daily. His dreams don’t stop there. Ali envisions expanding his agribusiness and becoming a major supplier in his region. He understands that success isn’t just about financial gain but also about making informed, responsible decisions about his health and future.
A strong business needs a strong foundation, and that foundation is a healthy, knowledgeable leader. If I want to build a better future, I must take care of myself, protect my health, and inspire others to do the same.
