Testimonials from Local Volunteers
Abass Katwila - 2010-2015
"Working with WOY helped me to learn how to work with people, to acquire many skills and to become a better educator."
I am a peer educator; I go in the field to educate the youth based on scheduled programming and set curriculums. Most of the time, I go in crowded places to educate the youth.
I have worked with WOY during 5 years. During that time, I participated in different activities. The events that were organized by WOY targeted youth intervention and education such as skits/plays in order to better interact with the group. The skits were educational and were used as a tool to bring people together to learn and address certain points (life lessons, his risks, parenting, health, etc). These skits created space for discussion and open questions.
I learned a lot about HIV, health and genital health, as well as dangers of drugs. I learned even more about participating in plays and skits as I enjoy drama. I learned how to be a drama director and /or facilitator. This has helped me to become a better discussion facilitator as I would facilitate discussions based off of the acted plays.
Finally, working with WOY helped me to learn how to work with people and to acquire many skills that have helped me in and outside of working with WOY. In summary, working with WOY helped me to become a better educator.
Samwel
"I consider that WOY gives education to the community."
I was trained by WOY to be a peer educator on life skills, STDs, etc. I have been a peer educator during the past 10 years, doing in-school and out of school outreach. I am now a Swahili teacher for foreigners and a local town guide, but I am still engaged on HIV education, In particular for out-of-school youth. Indeed, I am currently doing an outreach program about STDs through another organization. In my work, I use knowledge and methods that I learned from WOY.
Working at WOY helped me to learn about life skills and STDs, especially HIV, but also to
become aware of my skills in dramas and role plays. Moreover, WOY members provided feedback to help me to identify my weaknesses and to improve them. Volunteering with WOY gave me self-confidence to apply to different programs to help with peer education.
I consider that WOY gives education to the community. Especially, in-school programs are very good and well organized. Kids can get more information when they are young and it is important that they receive such education.
Bahati
“Volunteering at WOY helped me to gain confidence and to be more comfortable in public. I developed life skills, educational skills and capacity building skills.”
Within WOY, my role was to educate students at primary level about life skills and HIV/AIDS. Volunteering at WOY helped me to gain confidence and to be more comfortable in public. I developed life skills, educational skills and capacity building skills, including making friends, and understanding relative and friendship issues. Moreover, I learned about HIV. Another thing that I really appreciated while working with WOY was to have the opportunity to collaborate and work with different volunteers around the world. I am now a journalist and presenter in one of famous local radio (FM station) in Moshi.
Gordad
“I learned a lot from HIV/AIDS trainings. I also acquired skills to become a peer educator.”
When I was a volunteer at WOY, I was trained to be a peer educator and I participated in different activities. First, I worked with youth, in particular through group discussions in streets, to make them aware about HIV/AIDS. I also went to nightclubs and areas where there were sex workers, and I did community outreach events.
WOY helped me to build knowledge and skills through training. I learned a lot from HIV/AIDS trainings, which was very helpful. I also acquired skills to become a peer educator.
After working with WOY, I started working with several other organizations as an HIV/AIDS peer educator. I just graduated from university. I own and manage a youth organization that is employed by several other youth organizations.
I think that the WOY child psychological support program, that provided support to vulnerable children (who lost their parents or have troubles with drug abuse) was very helpful to many children around. It helped them to understand themselves and to better manage their situation.
Moreover, I consider that educating sex workers is crucial, because they are at high risk for HIV/AIDS. Giving them knowledge about how they are at high risk was really relevant and many of them changed their behavior thanks to this knowledge.
James
“Volunteering with WOY allowed me to learn about life and to see the struggles of others. WOY gives a way to know and understand life, and to think about the kind of life we want to live.”
I worked with children and youth with the project Simama Mara. Simama Mara taught children about life skills (support themselves or learn how to make money) and also helped them know their skills and talents (such as music and dancing).
I also worked with youth to educate them about HIV/AIDS, to make them aware of peer pressure, and also to teach them about life skills. I did home visiting for youth who needed support. During the election year, I also did a lot of political issues education.
Currently, I work at a center for kids. We do sports and games to help them to learn different skills and share ideas. I am still involved in various youth related-activities at WOY and within different churches.
Volunteering with WOY allowed me to learn about life and to see the struggles of others. WOY gives a way to know and understand life, and to think about the kind of life we want to live. It was also the opportunity to meet with many different people and to build relationships. I learnt a lot from John, like how to deal with the situations we can encountered and to better understand people.
John Mbando
“My work with WOY helped me to have more opportunities. I consider that WOY is like a college, it is an umbrella of skills and knowledge.”
I joined WOY as a volunteer in secondary school. I did in and out-of-school outreach programs on HIV/AIDS. I also trained peer trainers to become peer educators.
During WOY trainings, I learned about facilitation skills, HIV/AIDS and health issues. Being a volunteer within WOY showed me the importance of the volunteerism spirit: to do something from the heart, not for money. I realized how dedication can have a huge impact on the community and saw the importance of supporting other people. I developed skills to work with youth, such as organizing focus group discussions and teaching the importance of
condoms and proper condom use. I also learnt how to approach and talk to people at nightclubs, bus stations, women and girls.
My work with WOY helped me to have more opportunities. I consider that WOY is like a college, it is an umbrella of skills and knowledge. When WOY started its HIV/AIDS educational programs, HIV/AIDS was very high but people were shy to talk about it, WOY wanted to break the silence. By going and knocking at the doors, the organization has changed the lives of a lot of different people.
A lot of WOY previous volunteers have established their own CBOs; I consider that these are the “fruits” of WOY. The youth that were volunteering with WOY continue to work in similar areas with other organizations. Personally, I am now managing a youth organization and tour company.
Victoria
“I will never forget WOY and I will never leave them if the organization has any problem. WOY training provides information and knowledge on how to support the communities and how to work with people. It is a good center for exchanging programs and ideas.”
My role at WOY was to organize community events, like dramas in rural villages. I also went to elderly homes of people having HIV/AIDS. I helped to train drug users, went to church centers and did radio programs. I have since developed a nursery school and children center - I am the founder and director. I am also still working with Lion Club. In my work, I still use knowledge on HIV/AIDS that I learned with WOY.