Inspiring a Healthier Future for Adolescents in Itenka, A story of Getrude Japhet
Getruda Japhet is a Community Health Worker aged 20 years old at Itenka Ward in Katavi Region. Itenka is among the wards in Nsimbo with a high population and used to have only one facility which used to provide services to more than 20,000 people in five villages including adolescent’s girls, young women and boys. Where by Itenka Health Center is one among the five facilities in the VUMA project that Youth Friendly Services (YFS) center will be built to increase more realization, awareness and for Youth to receive right information, quality Youth Friendly Services at any time. She completed her secondary education at Machimboni secondary (Nsimbo Dc) in 2022. She is among the community health workers of the VUMA project under UMATI Organization where by they are conducting household visits at community level in order to provide education and information about GAR&I, SRHR, Child protection, Mental Health, IPC, nutrition and referrals.
“I was not able to continue with further studies due to lack of income in my family which hindered 
payment of school fees. I got division three and had to stay at home to support my mother and siblings. I have always had a desire to help girls in my community to avoid early marriage and child pregnancy, since some of the girls in schools dropped out due to early pregnancy and others were forced to early marriage, I told myself that one day I will help my community by spreading awareness about child pregnancy, early marriage, Family planning and Gender Based Violence’’ .
My journey as a CHW started as a volunteer at Itenka HC that led me to be selected to be part of the VUMA project which aims to increase realization of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for Adolescents Girls and Young Women and continued to door-to-door sessions during household visits to provide education and information to my community about SRHR, GAR& I, IPC, CP, MH, nutrition, GBV and referrals. Added Getrude.
During household visits, I provide education and information about GAR&I, SRHR, Child protection, Mental Health, IPC, nutrition and referrals to the household members. I feel great, since I am fulfilling what I always desired especially child pregnancy and early marriage that is one among the biggest obstacles in my community. At Itenka ward there is lack of awareness about Family Planning , among them is the myth concerning family planning such as it can cause infertility and cervical cancer continued Getrude.
Getrude continues to elaborate that despite of these challenges, she continued to provide family planning education since most of adolescents prefer using condoms as a method of FP. Also, during household visits, she usually invites them to attend Youth Weekend Clinics during Saturdays so as they can get more education, right information about SRHR, GAR& I, IPC, MH, nutrition and services at Itenka Health Clinic from trained Youth Friendly Service provider.
Today, despite of not being able to continue with her studies, Getruda did not lose hope to fulfill her 
dream of change by becoming a light in the darkness through creating awareness and condemn about early pregnancy and child marriage in her community, she continues to inspire adolescents girls and young women to attend youth weekend clinics at Itenka HC in order to get the right SRHR information and youth friendly services.
