Program Overview

Our program is a community-based public health outreach program in Arusha, Tanzania, focused on improving health, safety, knowledge, and socioeconomic stability among individuals and families facing complex social and health vulnerabilities.

The program operates at the intersection of public health, social care, and community-based prevention, addressing upstream drivers of poor health outcomes across the lifespan.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORK

Afya Femme works in close collaboration with Tanzanian healthcare professionals, counsellors, social workers, legal officers, and community leaders to support communities affected by challenges such as disease prevention, FGM risk, early marriage, gender-based violence, malnutrition, infant and child vulnerability, and barriers to health access.

This is a long-term intervention model.
We do not replace health or social systems.
We strengthen community-based pathways already in place.

The program prioritises prevention, health education, referral systems, and socioeconomic protection, recognising that health outcomes are shaped by legal access, income security, education, and psychosocial safety.

The project addresses interconnected social determinants of health affecting individuals, families, and communities in Northern Tanzania, including:

• Communicable and non-communicable disease prevention, including health education around hygiene, sanitation, HIV awareness, chronic disease risk factors, and community screening support

• Community health screening and referral support, assisting with basic health checks, follow-up support, and referral to local healthcare facilities

• FGM risk prevention and early identification

• Early marriage as a driver of adverse health and education outcomes

• Gender-based violence awareness, referral, and survivor support pathways

• Maternal, infant, and child nutrition and household food security

• Menstrual and reproductive health education

• Economic vulnerability as a predictor of poor health outcomes

All activities are coordinated with local professionals and aligned with ethical, non-clinical public health practice.

Communities are engaged through outreach activities, home visits, and small-group workshops, designed to meet people where they already are—socially, economically, and culturally.

The program integrates health education, psychosocial support, and economic stabilisation, recognising that prevention requires more than information alone.

Activities may include:

• Supporting community-based health education sessions

• Assisting with reproductive, menstrual, and general health education

• Supporting nutrition awareness and household food security initiatives

• Assisting income-generating skills programs linked to health protection

• Supporting production of reusable sanitary products to reduce health-related vulnerability

• Legal rights education related to family, marriage, and child protection

• HIV awareness without stigma

• Gender-based violence awareness and referral pathways

• Psychosocial support activities facilitated by volunteers and trained local staff

• Health literacy, confidence, and community leadership workshops

The program avoids extractive practices and does not remove individuals from their communities or livelihoods to participate.

Volunteers participate as public health support assistants and learners, as well as local clinicians or decision-makers.

You will work with Tanzanian coordinators and public health professionals, supporting outreach, education, monitoring, and community engagement activities.

Depending on your background, you may:

• Assist with health education and medical outreach

• Support community workshops and group sessions

• Assist with basic monitoring, progress tracking, and documentation

• Help develop culturally appropriate educational materials

• Support livelihood-related initiatives linked to health protection

• Participate in supervised community outreach and home visits

The role is supportive, ethical, and systems-aware.

Impact is measured through practical, observable public health indicators, including:

• Increased access to health education and resources

• Improved health literacy and awareness

• Improved household food security

• Strengthened referral pathways to health, legal, and social services

• Reduced reliance on unsafe or exploitative coping strategies

• Improved school retention and child wellbeing

Volunteers are accommodated in a shared guesthouse with:

• Secure rooms and comfortable bedding

• Two meals per day (breakfast daily, dinner Monday–Friday)

• On-site coordination and local support staff

• Laundry and housekeeping assistance

• 24-hour gated security

Transport to outreach and community sites is arranged by the program team.

• Suitable for volunteers in public health, global health, nursing, pre-med, nutrition, social work, psychology, or related fields

• No clinical licence required

• Tanzanian volunteer visa/permit required (guidance provided)

• Full orientation, role clarity, and safety protocols provided

• Volunteers must be culturally respectful, adaptable, and comfortable in community settings

Afya Femme addresses health upstream.

Rather than focusing solely on illness, the program targets:

• prevention

• access

• stability

• dignity

Health here is protected and reinforced.

Communities already hold capacity, knowledge, and leadership.
Public health works best when barriers are removed.