Latifah Abdallah Masoud: Turning Passion into Purpose through Peer Education.

Latifah Abdallah Masoud: Turning Passion into Purpose through Peer Education.

At just 24 years old, Latifah Abdallah Masoud became a beacon of hope for young people living with HIV in Zanzibar. Based at Mnazi Moja Hospital, she served as a peer educatoroffering not just information, but trust, empathy, and empowerment.

Her journey began with a simple but powerful drive: a love for humanity and a desire to support others.

“I always wanted to help young people,” Latifah said with a smile. “Becoming a peer educator gave me the chance to stand beside them, especially when they need it most.”

In her role, Latifah met with newly diagnosed peers, helping them understand HIV, access treatment, and rebuild their sense of self-worth. Her days were filled with meaningful conversations, quiet encouragement, and small victories like when someone returned to school, or found the courage to talk about their diagnosis.

“Some of them felt lost at first,” she recalled. “I just tried to be someone who listened, who didn’t judge, and who reminded them that their life still matters deeply.”

Her support extended beyond the clinic walls. She was often called on by families to help young people who had withdrawn from care or even run away. She also stepped in when she learned of discrimination at school, connecting affected students to counseling and peer networks, so they could move forward with confidence and support.

Latifah witnessed many of the young people she mentored go on to thrive some entered university, while others found joy and success in skills like tailoring, art, or driving.

“It was always about showing them they still had choices,” she said proudly. “That they still had futures.”

Though her work was challenging, Latifah remained committed. Her training had prepared her for the emotional and practical demands of peer education, and she carried her role with pride.

“I kept going door to door,” she shared. “I believed that with the right information and support, people could live fully and that no one should feel alone.”

Latifah was among the many peer educators trained and supported under the Afya Kamilifu project, a five-year initiative funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Tanzania. The project was implemented by Amref Health Africa in Tanzania, in partnership with the University of Maryland Baltimore (now CIHEB) and the Tanzania Communication and Development Center (TCDC).

It worked in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Tanzania and Zanzibar, and the President’s Office Regional Authorities and Local Government (PO-RALG), to strengthen access to HIV care and support across communities.