Macrina Mhalafu: Drumming the HIV message through Football
Wednesday, 22 November, 2023
Macrina Mhalafu is a 23-year-old girl and peer educator of adolescent girls and young women from Sagamaganga village in Signal ward, Ifakara Town Council, Morogoro region. She has been changing lives through her innovative approach to education, where she uses football to drive the HIV message to her clients. Despite facing challenges and dropping out of school due to pregnancy in 2013, when she was in Form Two, she never gave up on her dreams.
An Opportunity knocks on her door
Currently, a mother of a seven-year-old son, Macrina’s lease of life came in 2021 when the leadership of Sagamaganga village selected her to be part of the Global Fund programme under TASAF implemented by Amref through Timiza Malengo project. She emerged as the best selection after a thorough selection process by the village leaders. Macrina joined her fellow girls and young women and received peer education training in May 2021 at the Environmental Hall in Kibaoni ward. This opportunity marked a turning point in her life.
Her start in Peer Education
Equipped with knowledge and skills, Macrina returned to her village and introduced herself to the village leadership, as a peer educator responsible for identifying and enrolling adolescent girls and young women in her area through the Timiza Malengo project.
The training she received covers various topics including HIV and AIDS, the correct and sustainable use of condoms, Gender Based violence, Family planning, and childcare training.
Into the football game
To effectively convey important information about HIV prevention, reproductive health, and contraception, Macrina utilized the power of football.
“It was a sunny afternoon morning, and the field was buzzing with energy as young mothers and other young members of the community gathered this was my first meeting of the football game” she remembers. Makrina was ready to impart knowledge and empower these young women through the power of sports football.
Using football as a tool, Macrina educated and mobilized young people in her community. She integrated health education into the game, reducing complicated topics on sexual practices with football language. She used this platform to educate about safe sex practices and the importance of using condoms correctly. Through her dedication and passion, Macrina was able to engage young mothers who initially had doubts about her teachings. The game became a platform for learning, where participants acquired knowledge in a fun and interactive way.
Word of Macrina’s innovative approach quickly spread throughout the community, attracting attention from neighboring villages.
Invitations poured in, requesting her presence to educate young people in other areas. Macrina gladly accepted these opportunities, knowing she had the power to positively impact lives beyond her own village. “They now all know about me,” she says. As time went on, Macrina’s influence grew stronger.The number of young mothers joining her group increased, and their determination to make better choices for themselves became evident. Marina’s efforts not only reduced the number of unplanned pregnancies, but also instilled a sense of self-belief and confidence in these young women.
Her success did not go unnoticed. Macrina became an inspiration and role model for the youth, admired for her dedication and positive impact on the lives of others. Her work became a source of inspiration, not just within her village but throughout the Timiza Malengo project and beyond.
As a peer educator, Macrina has reached 313 fellow young women and created 22 support groups.These groups provide assistance and raise money for their members, with two of them being in the process of registering officially. Additionally, Macrina formed a football team called Vijana Tujiamini Sports Club, which has played matches outside of her village. The team has also started income-generating activities, selling nutritional flour and peanut supplements.
In addition to her role as a peer educator, Macrina is pursuing her studies in domestic electrical engineering at a community development college. Her ambition is to become a model farmer in her village and an electrical engineer. She plans to motivate and inspire young girls who have dropped out of school, showing them that they can achieve their dreams despite challenges.
As Macrina reflects on her journey, she feels a deep sense of fulfillment. She has overcome doubt and resistance, making a lasting impact on the lives of young mothers and the community as a whole.
Macrina knows that her work is far from over, and she is committed to continuing to educate, motivate, and empower others through the beautiful game of football. “This is the start,” she says firmly.
Amref Health Africa Tanzania, in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania through TACAIDS, Ministry of Health, PO-RALG and TAYOA implements the Timiza Malengo program in 18 councils across multiple regions. The program targets in and out of school AGYW aged 10-24, providing comprehensive interventions to reduce vulnerability to HIV infections. The program has reached 350,450 AGYW with HIV prevention programs, achieving 98% of the target.
