In almost all Tanzania societies including Kagera Region, educating children about sex is not a task that parents and other family members find easy. Many feel uncomfortable talking with children about the subject. Perhaps they are reluctant to expose their own lack of knowledge about anatomy, physiology, or other related information. When young people do not get information at home, they seek answers elsewhere—from peers, the media or their observations of other adults.

This can lead to misinformation and the persistence of damaging myths, making young people vulnerable to unwanted and unprotected sexual experiences. The result may be unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and low self esteem. In cultures where young people report wanting information from adult family members about sex and reproduction, educating parents and other family members can help adults feel more confident in addressing the reproductive health questions and concerns of youth.
Where there is insufficient knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, family members do not access family planning and other healthcare services.

In societies where agricultural activities are mostly practiced by women and adolescent girls, family planning becomes an issue resulting to unplanned pregnancies and absolute poverty at household’s level. Sexual and reproductive health education is therefore crucial in our efforts to fight against poverty and health challenges among youth and women. Parents and men involvement in the whole process is inevitable.
TAMA bridges the gap between parents and youth to provide platform for them to improve adults’ skills for educating and communicating with youth, especially about sexuality and reproductive health. The project which is now being supported by Amplify Change of the UK and implemented in Bukoba Municipal, has managed to improve on the following:

• Trained team 30 peer educators are competently creating awareness on access to sexual and reproductive health services among youth and parents.
• Youth and parents understand the advantages of discussing openly issues of sex and sexuality and that forming relationships is an integral part of their life cycle.
• Generally, there is improved communication skills for parents to respond to young people’s questions, convey sexual values and attitudes, and seize appropriate opportunities to initiate discussions about sexuality and other reproductive health issues;