TITLE: Together We Can (TWC) Program

At 3.2%, young men's sero-prevalence in Kigoma is higher than the national average. The percentage of

rural women who demonstrate comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS in Tanzania is only 38% (DHS

2004). The Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS), a local organization established in 1962, has active

offices in each of Kigoma's districts and an established network of over 140 community-based HIV

prevention volunteer peer educators uniquely suited to reach remote areas of the country. ARC provides

technical support to the TRCS and is a recognized leader in the field of youth peer education, using a

curriculum and methodology implemented by the red cross movement in over 20 countries worldwide.

Project messaging emphasizes life-skills in abstinence and fidelity, and includes condom information and

education for at-risk youth.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

"Together We Care" (TWC) has reached over 300,000 youth with AB messages, and trained 599 individuals

(peer educators and field managers). Due to a systematic approach to refresher trainings and incentives,

volunteer retention rates exceed 95%. Increases in knowledge, accepting attitudes and self-efficacy

average over 82% (post- over pre-test scores in curriculum-based interventions). MEASURE evaluation

cited TWC as very strong in volunteer supervision systems, consistent skills-based messaging, and high

retention rates.

ACTIVITIES: The TWC project strengthens HIV related life skills for Tanzanian youth using multiple

venues. Groups of potential peer educators (PE's) are identified in the community based on age,

education (minimum of standard seven) and availability to work within the region from which they came.

Once selected, PEs are trained using participatory, skills-based, locally adapted interventions. Refresher

trainings and management meetings are held regularly. PEs also provide referral information to key

services provided in the region including VCT and STI treatment, thereby enhancing linkages to other

partner organizations and generating demand for these services. Referral manuals that list locally available

youth friendly services are kept up to date by the PEs.

Graduated PE's host multiple training sessions to impart the TWC curriculum to youth. Pairs of PE's

facilitate these sessions for small groups of approximately 20 beneficiaries per workshop. Each youth

participant in the workshop is responsible to communicate key prevention messages via peer-to-peer

outreach to ten of their peers as a ‘take-home assignment'. Youth are encouraged to talk informally about

issues that directly affect their life and health, drawing on knowledge learned in training sessions.

The final phase of the TWC project communicates prevention messaging through the organization of

‘edutainment' events and through the production and dissemination of behavior change materials

(educational brochures, referral manuals, and support materials). Activities address gender equity, norms

and behaviors, stigma and discrimination, critical decision making skills, negotiating abstinence, reduction of

sexual partners, fidelity, and condom use.

In line with recommendations from MEASURE evaluation's recent process evaluation, TWC is refining

follow-up strategies to increase the booster effect on youth who have already completed the TWC

curriculum. Workshop ‘graduates' will benefit from two follow-up interventions 3-6 and 9-12 months after

completion of the initial curriculum.

To enhance the community environment for the adoption of safer sexual practices, the TWC project holds

town hall meetings and hosts community councils at each key project site. Town hall meetings are

designed to inform, seek permission to conduct sexual education activities, and solicit direct involvement of

adult stakeholders. Councils are designed to encourage participation by adult stakeholders including

parents, teachers, and religious and secular community leaders from all sectors.

Project staff works with local community councils and organizations on day-to-day project implementation.

Projects to date include; planning TWC workshops in schools; consensus building on appropriate

messaging for younger youth; in-kind contributions to project activities; promoting TWC sessions via letters

to parents; and offering feedback after observing project activities.

LINKAGES: TWC collaborates with teachers, parents, local government task forces, FBO's, and CBO's to

ensure the direct involvement of adult community members in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the safer

reproductive lives of youth. TRCS works extensively with Emergency Plan and other donor funded NGO

partners and taskforces at the national, regional and community level through sharing of work-plans,

quarterly prevention partner meetings, and joint planning. This occurs through meetings and dialogue with

partners, and the sharing of curriculum and best practices. Common strategies and messages are

established and duplication of efforts is reduced, leading to a more efficient use of project resources. The

TWC project also shares best practices across countries where the program is in operation (Haiti and

Guyana) as well as through the red cross movement which is active in 185 countries. TWC is able to

provide referral information to the thousands of youth it reaches each month, thereby creating demand for

other Emergency Plan funded services such as STI treatment and VCT.

M&E: TWC uses data collection forms to track the number and nature of outreach and trainings as well as

town council meetings, media events, and refresher trainings, and utilizes a pre/post test tool to measure

knowledge gained through training sessions. Data is used for multi-level analysis to identify gaps in

understanding. When counting beneficiaries, a discount rate is applied to avoid double counting at large

scale events. Each type of activity has its own targets and is judged on its own objectives. This system

ensures that all outreach targets reported comply with the OGAC guidance. TWC will revise data collection

tools to harmonize with other PEPFAR AB and OP partners, and is currently active in prevention partner

meetings, volunteering M&E tools for review, and attending meetings to standardize tools. A written M&E

plan is currently in development, and will begin implementation no later than the receipt of FY 2008 funds.

Seven percent of the budget will be allocated to M&E.

SUSTAINAIBLITY: TWC's work through TRCS retains capacity in this local organization, which has been

working in Tanzanian communities since 1962. TRCS receives support from national chapters including the

Spanish, French, and Japanese Red Cross, and the Red Cross Federation. TRCS is currently seeking

funds from the Tanzanian government to expand chapter capacity throughout the country. The ARC will

continue to provide organizational development trainings and technical support for key areas (e.g.,

volunteer management and training, project planning, finance and compliance, monitoring and evaluation,

and curriculum adaptation). TWC also uses partnership building as a capacity-building tool, allowing the

TRCS to learn from and leverage each partner's expertise in HIV prevention, care, and treatment.