Binti Clubs for girls and boys of Tanzania operates after-school programs for adolescent boys and girls. The clubs provide a safe place for boys and girls to get together and share experiences, discuss issues peculiar and of common interest to them, and also learn new ideas and life skills.
The clubs involve adolescent boys and girls in health skills using non-formal education and entrepreneurship programs and activities that build self-esteem and self-worth. They learn the values of responsibility and respect in a supportive environment free of pressure and stress.
THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF BINTI CLUBS PROGRAM ARE:
i) Life Skills
Club members learn about the core set of life skills which help in promoting well being of children such as decision making, problem solving, creative thinking, critical thinking, effective communication, interpersonal relationship skills, self-awareness, coping with emotions and coping with stress.
ii) Health Education
Club members benefit from acquiring the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to lead healthy lives. They learn age appropriate sexual and reproductive health related to physical and emotional changes that take place during adolescence.
Special attention is given to vulnerable early adolescents (aged 10-14) and those at risk of irreversible harm to their reproductive health and rights (e.g. through forced sex, early marriage, poverty-driven exchanges of sex for gifts or money, and violence).
iii) Entrepreneurship
The program has varying degrees of entrepreneurship activities which provide career, vocational and personal development experiences for adolescent children.
Through Binti Clubs, adolescent children are given an opportunity to develop the attributes and skills associated with entrepreneurship including creativity, observation skills, innovation, self-confidence, planning and risk taking, how to set personal goals and how to start a business.
