Passion and Positivity

Florence is a peer leader at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania. Photo: Nuru Ngailo/EGPAF 2023

Florence is a young woman living in Arusha, Tanzania, who bubbles with enthusiasm for guiding others. As a confident peer educator living with HIV, Florence is on a mission to help her peers find fulfillment. In 2022, Florence was trained in adolescent sexual and reproductive health through the USAID Afya Yangu Northern (AYN) project, and she uses that training to mentor other young people as they negotiate adolescence.

“I have a passion for helping my fellow youth, whether they are HIV-positive or HIV-negative. What I understand is that everyone has dreams and goals. So, when I meet my fellow youth, I use the knowledge gained from the AYN program to discuss the various life challenges we all encounter. For instance, as youth, we sometimes engage in risky behavior that can impede our progress.”

“We discuss issues related to gender-based violence and violence against children, how to report them, and how to steer clear of environments that may expose us to these dangers. Every youth needs to be equipped with life skills, especially in decision-making and sexual and reproductive health matters.”

A dedicated patient at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Florence takes advantage of the panoply of training sessions available through the club for young people living with HIV. She doesn’t keep this knowledge to herself. She passionately shares it with her peers and addresses the challenges that young people living with HIV face, including issues related to adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART), which keeps them healthy and alive.

“I have a passion for helping my fellow youth, whether they are HIV-positive or HIV-negative. What I understand is that everyone has dreams and goals.”

Florence’s dedication doesn’t stop there. She generously volunteers at the hospital as a lay counselor. Florence’s passion and knowledge are making a difference in the lives of youth, inspiring them to dream big and overcome challenges.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the AYN team and St. Elizabeth staff, who are always ready to provide us with valuable information,” says Florence, adding that since she was trained in adolescent sexual and reproductive health, she has reach out to nearly 110 peers.