Nyamagana PLHIV Cluster is among twelve PLHIV clusters under Hebu Tuyajenge project since 2019 with more than 500 PLHIV members from empowerment groups. There was a big challenge for Adolescent Girls and Young Women living with HIV to utilize HIV services in the cluster. Before the Introduction of Hebu Tuyajenge Project, statistics shows more than 75% of PLHIV Cluster members were above 45+ years old while Adolescents and Youths were only 25%. This was because of stigma and discrimination among this age group

The project trained Treatments Advocates, Cluster Coordination teams and Cluster focal persons on treatment literacy focusing on the three 95s for them to be able to use the knowledge in mobilizing the community for HIV services utilization. The main approaches used were DREAMS and Five to Five, through which youths Living with HIV were enrolling fellow youths known to be living with HIV or at risk of contracting the infection for HIV service utilization especially testing. Since youths and adolescents were approached by fellow youths living with HIV, it was easy to convince them because they were no longer afraid of disclosing their status to these adolescent TAs.

Trained Adolescent Girls and Young Women succeeded to identify girls Living with HIV and enroll them into care and treatment centers as a results two empowerment groups were formed in Isamilo and Igoma Wards in Nyamagana District. Nyamagana PLHIV cluster in Collaboration with Council HIV Coordinator facilitated registration of these groups and by the mid of July 2021 Pasa Sauti and Sayuni Group were officially registered.

These Groups are involved in various economic activities including Manufacturing vitenge (fabrics) Bags, Open shoes and Ornaments. They have succeeded to have their own production office located in Butimba. Through selling these products, they can earn more than one million Tanzanian Shillings per month. To increase their capital, they applied for 2% loans with no interest rate from Nyamagana City Council and in June 2022 they were awarded 10,000,000 Tshs zero interest loan which will help them to increase production hence more earnings

 “Before we have enrolled into PLHIV empowerments Groups we were experienced bad economic situation myself I was not able to accommodate myself like to buy my sanitary pads, Shoes, soap and even fare to attending CTC during refiling time but from now I can afford to access my personal needs.” Said Verdiana Vedasto Secretary of Pasa Sauti Group.

Up to date DREAMS and Five to Five model succeed to enroll 50 Adolescent and Young People Living with HIV on care and treatment Centers, and two groups have been formed as a result of Hebu Tuyajenge project in Nyamagana District, Mwanza.