What we do

Free a Girl from Child Marriage

Villages Health Support Org (VHSO) is the Non Government Organization, registered under Government act, 24/2002 and given Ref No OONGO/R/0421, VHSO main objectives are to promote social educational and economic empowerment to underprivileged community, Enhance provision of medical care, empower women in sexual production health as well as Supporting and empower children and adult live with HIV.

VHSO prepare a Project which  will take place at Olchorovos Village which is at Arusha Village and it will give awareness to the Olchorovos society on how to free a girl from Child marriage

OLCHOROVOS SHORT HISTORY

Olchorovos is the village which is found at Arusha District which is at Arusha Region, Most of people live there are Masai  and Most Villagers are farmers and Animal keeper. They farm maize, beans, wheat, Vegetables,Tobacco and Flowers.They keep Animals like Sheep,Cow,Goat,Donkey and Chicken

Problem Statement

31% of girls in Tanzania are married before their 18th birthday and 5% are married before the age of 15.According to UNICEF, Tanzania has the 11th highest absolute number of child brides in the world – 779,000.According to 2010 data, child marriage rates are as high as 59% in Shinyanga, 58% in Tabora and 55% in Mara. Rates are lowest in Iringa and Dar es Salaam.In rural areas on the border with Kenya, some girls reportedly marry as young as 11.

Child marriage,Female Genital Mutilation and teenage Pregnancy has a great negative impact to a girl especially in her Education and Mental health

Meaning of Female Genital Mutilation in Masai Society

  • Transition of a girl from childhood to womanhood
  • It is an honor for a girl
  • Being allowed to have a Fiancee also wife of someone regardless the age

Most of time girls get engaged from 3 to 12 years ,It is rare for a girl to be in class two without having a fiancee.

When a girl reach the age of 12,Her fiancee is allowed to take care of her and come at her home even sleep with her  at her home,It is a normal things and not an act of  shame,

When the girl reach the age of 19 is called a mother and most of them  already have 2 to 3 Children,Due to that a girl start to bear a child with the age of 16 years

THINGS TO DO THAT WE CAN FREE A MASAI GIRL FROM EARLY MARRIAGE CULTURE

  1. Education: Although it can be hard to educate a girl who already have a Fiancee because they feel to have a fiancee is to be honored, to be effective education should start early to those who have not yet engaged in love relationship,This can be done at school,Churches,Schools,TV,Seminars and crusades
  2. Starting of VHSO girls Clubs /Groups which will give Confidence to a girl to refuse Masai Culture
  3. Cooperate with Government sector like Social welfare and Police for those practice this Culture
  4. To have Strong Desk which will bring right of a girl at this Village

N:B When a Masai girl seen with Blue Necklace or Blue Beads on her neck that is like engagement ring,It means She is already engaged to someone

Child marriage is driven by gender inequality and the belief that girls are somehow inferior to boys, Child marriage at Olchorovos is also driven by:-

Family honor: Pre-marital sex is often considered a taboo which undermines family honor and decrease the amount of Dowry a girl can fetch when married. Some girls who are considered to be micharuko – ‘running around with men’ – are forced into marriage to avoid bringing shame to families.

Poverty: It shows that poverty is considered the leading driver of child marriage in Tanzania. Mahari – ‘bride price’ – involves a husband giving money, cattle or clothing to a bride’s family. It is also common for girls to decide to get married out of their own will in search of income Opportunities

Nyumba ntobu: This practice involves an older, wealthier man paying bride price for a young girl to become his wife. A man is then chosen to impregnate the girl and any children who are born belong to the older man.

Level of education: The Government’s Primary School Leaving Examination determines which students can go into secondary school. Human Rights Watch argues that girls who fail the exam face no more Opportunity expect marry. Girls who are pregnant are also not allowed to Continue with school.

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): FGM/C is linked to a desire to control female sexuality and is seen by many communities as a transition to prepare girls for marriage. Other Womanhood dances – such as unyago, samba and chagulaga – involve a girl being trained on marital aspects when she reaches puberty.

Whether you represent an organisation interested in supporting VHSO or an Individual   If you would like to join the VHSO efforts, or discuss other means of getting involved, please CONTACT US. VHSO promise that 100% of all donations received will be spent on providing  awareness about Freeing a Girl from child marriage. If you would like to support in other ways, for example through holding an event, climbing Kilimanjarorunning a marathon etc. Email us at: info@villageshealthsupport.org or Phone No: +255 767 747 410

DOCUMENTARY on FGC helps fight against Human rights Violation Prepared by The Why Foundation

In a small Tanzanian village called Olchorovos, located 17 km from the capital Arusha, hundreds of children and their teachers sit under the shadow of trees, with their eyes on a big screen.

On the TV, a girl not older than 10 years explains to her classmates what Female Genital Cutting (FGC) entails for a girl, emphasising the health and psychological dangers that come with it.

The documentary screened, “In the Name of Your Daughter”, is part of the WHY STORIES series. Directed by Giselle Portenier , the film gives voice to Tanzanian girls as young as 6  years old to tell, in a first person account, how they have experienced FGC or have escaped from their families to avoid it. The screening of the film is possible thanks to a partnership between THE WHY Foundation and Villages Health Support Organisation (VHSO), a local organisation providing medical services as well as knowledge and tools to fight health issues at its source.

The people of Olchorovos do not have access to medical knowledge and care. Like in the majority of rural areas in Tanzania, the nearest hospitals are dozens of kms away and public transport is often non-existent. Volunteer-based, VHSO provides free medical care to people in rural villages in northern Tanzania, who do not have access to healthcare otherwise. The doctors and nurses from the organisation drive out to the villages to provide medical services as well as knowledge and tools to fight health issues at its source. One of their current projects focuses on FGC.

Social Norms x Human Rights Violations

FGC, also known as FGM (Female Genital Mutilation), is a very risky operation in which female genital tissue is damaged and removed. It has no health benefits. On the contrary, it can cause severe bleeding, urinating problems, cysts, infections, complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths, as explained by the World Health Organisation (WHO).The practice is commonly performed by local midwives, with no medical help nor hygiene, sometimes also resulting in death from haemorrhaging and severe pain.

FGC is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. Nevertheless, it is a tradition and an unquestioned social norm in many Western, Eastern and North-Eastern African countries, as well as in some countries of the Middle East and Asia. Some communities see FGC as a way of safeguarding girls’ virginity, curbing their sexuality, or even protecting them from rape. Not undergoing FGC means risking to be rejected by the community and their own families.

FGC: 200 million girls and women

Worldwide, the WHO estimates that over 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGC. In Tanzania, even though it is illegal in the country since 1998, the cutting is still largely in practice. In the district of the capital city Arusha, it is estimated by the UNFPA that 41% of girls undergo the procedure. In its neighbouring districts, the situation is not any better: in Dodoma and Manyara, the percentages go up to 47% and 58% of FGC/M cases in girls, respectively.

In Tanzania, even though it is illegal in the country since 1998, FGC is still largely in practice.

FGC is an especially prevalent practice in Masaai communities in the country, where, following the traditions, girls are cut usually between the ages of five and 15, and shortly after stop going to school and are married off.

Changing traditions and culturally rooted beliefs takes time. The practice is of extreme importance for the communities where it is undertaken; ingrained in cultural practice it marks the most important moment in a girl’s life: the passage into adulthood. It is therefore celebrated with a big reunion, dances, music, and food.

The Power of Local Action

“In The Name of Your Daughter” was thought of as a tool to inform the world and communities about the brutality and health dangers of FGC. Many of the girls in the documentary have found refuge at “Safe House”, a home for girls and women who fled their homes for their lives, having a safe place to tell their stories and advocate for the end of horrible human rights abuses. However, places like Safe House are seldom to be found. Throughout the year of 2020, VHSO has been doing an essential work in filling that gap.

Last September, five employees, one nurse and one volunteer from the organisation drove to Olchorovos, which is a Masaai village, to raise awareness about FGC and do health-checks on the village girls. They managed to borrow a TV with a big screen from one of the organisation’s directors and transported it to the village, placing it outside, under the shadows of big trees. They were able to gather school children from six different classes, village leaders and even two midwives, who practice FGC on the village. For those who did not understand English, there was a live translator. After the screening, there was a discussion of the sensible topic of the film with children and elders in the local language.

VHSO’s approach to tackle the issue is to invest in strong relationships with the communities. The organisation’s providing of free medical healthcare, respected and listened to. This is also the reason for which they are able not only to screen films in schools to inform young boys and girls, but also to gather elders, village leaders, parents and even midwives to watch the documentary and let them reason on their practices and beliefs.

Results of the Documentary Screening

In the case of the screening of THE WHY’s documentary, the results were remarkable. After the film, students said they now know they can report anyone forcing them to get cut to police, teachers or nurses. The children also understood how FGC can cause loss of blood and even death and simply that the procedure comprehends means to remove part of the body of girls. The students and viewers wereengaged in spreading the word about what they have learned from the film.

As an example of an important shift of perspective, one of the midwives who watched the film told VHSO that she believed FGC was performed to prevent urinary tract infection (UTI). Now that she understands the risks of FGC, the midwife considered refrain from the practice, and, instead will start taking the girls to a hospital if they are suffering from UTI.

Re-usable sanitary Pads

We have a found an exciting solution. Our 10 HIV infected women group that we help have learned how to produce Reusable Sanitary Pads. For a donation of: $8/pad the product is distributed to young ladies in school in rural areas.

This contribution has two positive outcome, you have helped these HIV infected Women who have been abandoned, and you have helped one young girl staying comfortably in class using our Reusable Sanitary Pads! The products are made of soft, colorful, absorbent flannel with a special waterproof barrier and attach to the underwear like panty liners. They last around three years and provide a much-needed, multi-faceted solution.

Here’s why we love this program: 

1. Girls Graduate: With a reusable menstrual pad kit, a young woman can stay in school! No longer does she have to worry about her health and hygiene during her period and her risk of dropping out decreases dramatically. Health problems, combined with the ineffectiveness of using rags during menses, results in girls not attending school during their period. 

This is a leading cause of the high drop-out rates among girls and is a life-changing consequence that can be prevented with this effective menstrual hygiene option.

2. The Local Economy is Boosted: Most of the materials used in the production of these reusable menstrual pads are sourced in Tanzania. Anytime we can spend money in-country, it helps the local economy. And it’s not just the local economy that gets a boost. Confidence is boosted, too!

The Medical Visits Volunteering team is enthusiastic about the opportunity this program provides. The improvement in their confidence and self-esteem is evident in their work and commitments.

The United Nations estimates that 10% of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa miss up to 20% of the school year due to her menstrual cycle.

3.  Our HIV infected women group Generate Income: Our 10 Women HIV group which grows everyday have been trained to manufacture the Reusable Sanitary Pads and profit from the production. This is the group that can no longer be in work force as some of them have been abandoned by their societies and families. When the HIV infected women earn money, they often spend it on food for their families, paying for their health insurance and education for their children.

4. The Environment is Less Stressed: Reusable Sanitary Pads produce little waste and are therefore better for our environment. One pack of reusable menstrual pads created and distributed to these young women in school lasts for three years! Compare that to the average Westerner who uses an average of 20 tampons or pads per menstrual period, thus using 250-300 pounds of products, applicators, and wrappers in a lifetime.

5. Hygiene is Improved: Disposable pads are quite expensive in Tanzania and using  old rags leads to embarrassing leakage, urinary tract infections, and other medical problems. Reusable menstrual pads are far healthier (because of fewer infections) than rags. Larger, more absorbent pads are used for women after delivery, women (or men) with incontinence, and are very much needed for fistula.

Whether you represent an organisation interested in supporting VHSO or an Individual : if you would like to join the VHSO efforts, or discuss other means of getting involved, please CONTACT US. VHSO promise that 100% of all donations received will be spent on Distribution of reusable sanitary pads to school girls. If you would like to support in other ways, for example through holding an event, climbing Kilimanjarorunning a marathon etc. Email us at: info@villageshealthsupport.org  or  Whatsapp: +255767747410

 

Family planning to Teenegers

Leah M.Nkwija (Nurse Midwife) together with VHSO  prepare a Project which will be take place at Arusha District. The Project will provide education on Family planning  to Teenagers  in Schools.This is because  most of youth can be found in schools at the Age range of 14 years to 20 years

PROBLEM STATEMENT

According to 2010 TDHS, 23 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 19 have begun child-bearing, while the total fertility rate (TFR) has remained high at 5.4 children per woman [1]. TFR was reported at 5.8 and 5.7 births per woman in 1996 and 2005, respectively [1, 6].

Evidence strongly indicates that school-based programs can increase knowledge and improve attitudes related to delaying or decreasing risky sexual behaviors and increasing contraceptive use. (Alford, Sue, Nicole Cheetham, and Debra Hauser. “Science and success in developing countries: holistic programs that work to prevent teen pregnancy HIV and sexually transmitted infections.” (2005).)

Younger unmarried men aged 15-19 years are less likely to use a condom during sexual intercourse than unmarried young men aged 20-24 years (MOHCDGEC, 2018). Adolescent girls aged 15-19 years have both the lowest contraceptive use rates and highest unmet need for family planning in East Africa (Izugbara et al, 2018) – reported as 9% in Tanzania (MOHCDGEC, 2018).

Among unmarried young women, use of a condom at sexual intercourse is higher among adolescents aged 18-19 years.  Geographical differences were found in family planning use: Youths in rural areas use· condoms at a lower rate compared to their urban counterparts (MOHCDGEC, 2018).

PROBLEM ANALYSIS

Health can be defined as physical, mental, and social  well being, and as a resource for living a full life. It refers not only to the absence of disease, but the ability to recover and bounce back from illness and other problems. It is for Youth who are in Child bearing Age

Reproductive health is defined as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system, at all stages of life. Good reproductive health implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce  and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so.

Men, women and Youth should be informed about and have access to safe, effective, affordable, and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice, and the right to appropriate health-care services that enable women to safely go through pregnancy and childbirth.

Reproductive Health starts from Friendship between the two sexes, the act of sexual Intercourse, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.

Youth Rights to have Family planning Education

Youth have great contribution in the development of family, Society and Nation. It is very important to Prioritize give awareness to them about Family planning education; Lack of this Education will lead to Increasing of Teenage Pregnancy, Early marriages, Sexual transmitted Diseases like HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Gonorrhea.

Reproductive Health right starts from the level of Family, school, Society and also in Health care Service stations.

Youth have the right to have Good Health in general, Have Right to get Reproductive Health service especially family planning ,Right to own his/her own body, Rights to get Information about their Health Reproductive status and Right to have Sex.

How can Youth Protect themselves from Teenage Pregnancy

Mainly Youth are in three groups

A-This is Youth or Group of Youth who are Abstain from Sex, They only concentrate on Studies and other Social activities

B-This is youth or Group of Youth who are having Unprotected sex with only one partner; these has to protect themselves from teenage pregnancy through Condom, Contraceptive implants, Loop or Injections

C-This is youth or Group of Youth who use to have more than one Partner, This group has to protect themselves from Sexual transmitted diseases and Pregnancy, They suppose to use Condom and other family planning methods like Contraceptive implants,Loop,Injection or Pills

The best ways of Family planning which Youth can use especially girls due to their short period of time that most of their time is spent in school is Loop, Contraceptive implants and Condoms.

Strategies that Youth in school can use to face Teenage Pregnancy Challenge

They have to find and accept Advice, to join in good groups, to have good friends, Getting rid of sexual thought, avoid Alcoholism, Focus on studies, the use of ABC’s approach which is Abstain from sex, Be Faithful and the use of Condom

N:B

Family Planning can be used to anyone who has the ability to Bear or Producing a Child, Family planning has no side effects, Family Planning is not the source of making someone to have many lovers, to have many lovers is ones habits.

Overall Goal

To reduce the rate of Teenage Pregnancy by giving awareness to youth about Reproductive Health education especially in Family planning.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE

  • To give Family planning awareness to Teenagers in school
  • Eliminating misconception about Family planning
  • Provide Contraceptive

OUTCOMES 

  • Reduce the number Teenage Pregnancy
  • Reduce number of Early marriages
  • Reduce number of girls drop out from school
  • Reduce transmission of Sexual transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS,Gonnorea,Syphillis
  • Increase awareness to school girls on their rights
  • Reduce number of street children due to Unplanned parenting
  • Reduce Infant mortality
  • Reduce number of death to Pregnancy women due to Abortion and during child bearing
  • Increase Power work by having Health youth in the Society and Nation at large

Whether you represent an organisation interested in supporting VHSO or an Individual   If you would like to join the VHSO efforts, or discuss other means of getting involved, please CONTACT US. VHSO promise that 100% of all donations received will be spent on providing  awareness about family planning to Teenagers in schools. If you would like to support in other ways, for example through holding an event, climbing Kilimanjarorunning a marathon etc. Email us at: info@villageshealthsupport.org or g: +255767747410


ORPHANAGE PROJECT

Volunteer in Orphanage Project will make a difference in the lives of children from underprivileged communities, spend time with them. This is the best way forward when it comes imagining a better future for the world and working towards it. 

Volunteers will get to engage meaningfully with the locals, learn a new language, meet other fellow volunteers from across the globe and experience the benefits of civic engagement. 

As a volunteer in the Orphanage projects, volunteers get to: 

  • Do volunteer work with children in Orphanage  and in special needs center, or care center for mothers and babies 
  • Work closely with kids – teach them, design fun games for them, help in making their meals, feed them, and engage them with learning and playful activities
  • Learn about the Early Childhood Development and needs of mothers with a dual burden of childcare and making a living 
  • Raise funds for the center and long term sustainability of the childcare center 
  • Engage with the local community, learn a new language and interact with all stakeholders of children’s development 

Volunteer

Would you like to Volunteer?

Please click the link below. Learn more about our volunteering programs.