Press Releases

President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Supports New $25 Million UJANA (“Youthfulness”) HIV Prevention Project

September 18, 2006

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting a new $25 million youth HIV prevention activity in Tanzania. Called UJANA, meaning “youthfulness,” the five year project will be implemented by Family Health International (FHI). Three Tanzanian partners, the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), Femina/Health Information Project and TRACE OD (Organizational Development Training and Facilitation Center) will help implement UJANA. Up to 50 Tanzanian organizations will also be eligible for sub-grants.

HIV/AIDS is perceived as a national disaster, threatening the health of Tanzanians and economic growth. Approximately 60% of new infections occur among Tanzania’s youth, with girls and young women particularly affected and increasingly at risk. Most Tanzanian youth know about HIV/AIDS though lack the knowledge and skills to prevent HIV.

To address these challenges, UJANA will help youth change their behavior and develop skills necessary to prevent HIV. UJANA will work with influential adults and the community to help youth abstain from or delay sex, remain faithful to one partner if engaged in a relationship, reduce the number of their partners or if appropriate use condoms. UJANA will provide technical leadership and coordination to help share research results about best practices. UJANA will also help youth connect to a variety of social and counseling services. UJANA will also manage the ISHI Campaign, a national Youth HIV Prevention effort.

Tanzanian Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) Executive Chairman, Major General (Ret’d.) Lupogo commented, “The Government of Tanzania welcomes this new program to prevent HIV infection among Tanzania’s youth and we are delighted that UJANA will build upon the capacity of local organizations.”

USAID/Tanzania’s Director Pamela White reflected, “Girls and young women are especially vulnerable to this epidemic. UJANA’s focus on gender relations is vitally important to the future of the girls and boys, women and men of Tanzania. Working side by side with the Government of Tanzania we know we can make a difference.”

The name UJANA captures the energy and spirit of youth and each of the initial letters reflects some of the project’s philosophy: Ustadi, Juhudi, Ari, ni Nguzo za Afya, which translates to “skills, effort, and enthusiasm – pillars of health.”