PUPILS clubs in primary schools provide a crucial platform for students to express their needs, learn about Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and understand how to report incidents to appropriate authorities.

These clubs also promote environmental conservation, cleanliness, and water safety within school settings.

 Clubs play a vital role in promoting environmental conservation by equipping young students with the knowledge, skills, and responsibility needed to care for their surroundings.

 Through environmental education programmes, pupil clubs teach students about the importance of conserving natural resources, the effects of environmental degradation, and the impact of human activities on ecosystems. 

Many pupil clubs organize tree-planting activities in their schools and communities. 

Students learn to plant, nurture and protect trees, contributing to reforestation efforts and improving the environment.

 Clubs can distribute and plant seedlings, as seen in organizations like Dira Yetu Initiative. 

Pupils use their clubs to advocate for environmentally friendly policies and practices within their schools and communities. 

This includes encouraging the use of sustainable resources and influencing local governments to support green initiatives.

Mwanaid Bilali, Chairperson of the Dira Yetu Initiative was recently speaking during the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and launch ceremony of its three-year Strategic Plan at the Tumaini Jipya kwa Wanawake Kilwa (TUJIWAKI) building where she emphasized that in coastal areas, such clubs may enable pupils to engage in mangrove planting and protection activities, thus safeguarding the vital ecosystems that help prevent coastal erosion and provide habitats for marine life. 

The event funded by ActionAid in Kilwa, brought together principal community development officers and Dira Yetu Initiative members. 

Addressing GBV Dira Yetu Initiative, based in Kilwa District, Lindi Region, has introduced a comprehensive programme to educate schoolchildren about GBV, their rights, and their responsibilities. 

The programme also highlights where and how to report incidents of violence. By collaborating with teachers, students, and community members, the initiative seeks to ensure quality education and improve school hygiene and infrastructure.

 It has established 10 pupils’ clubs in 10 primary schools, empowering young people to identify challenges, voice their concerns, and seek solutions. “We are proud of the progress achieved by these clubs so far. 

Pupils are now more confident in reporting GBV incidents and advocating for their rights both at home and in school,” said Bilali. 

Following GBV awareness campaigns and education, more than 15 children have reported cases of GBV to relevant authorities. 

Reported cases include issues of exploitation and abuse during daily activities whereas girls reported to be harassed as they go to fetch water.

In one instance, a water vendor who demanded sexual favours from a school girl was confronted by the community, leading to his dismissal.

Environmental conservation 

Through the clubs, pupils are also educated on environmental conservation, including tree planting, climate change awareness, and waste management. With support from the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) and other stakeholders, 940 seedlings of shade, fruit, and timber trees have been distributed to 10 schools. 

A tree-planting campaign involving 250 students, 10 teachers, and 200 community members was also launched.

The initiative has further facilitated clean-up campaigns along Kilwa's beaches and planted 35,000 mangroves in collaboration with Mazingira ni Uhai and MBRC the ocean foundation which supports impacted communities around the world by organizing clean-ups and implementing waste management and recycling systems, ensuring that the plastic recovered is reused in support of a zero-waste circular economy.

The environmental conservation programme also integrates climate change education with efforts to protect mangrove forests in Lihimalyao and Masoko wards.

 To improve school environments, the Dira Yetu Initiative has donated water harvesting and storage facilities, cleaning tools and waste management equipment to five schools in Matandu, Kisongo, Miguruwe, and Mkondaji. 

These resources aim to address hygiene and sanitation issues, particularly for girls during their monthly periods.

Girls’ education 

The initiative has successfully influenced community perceptions regarding girls’ education.

One notable achievement involved persuading a father to send his daughter to school despite his initial resistance due to religious beliefs. 

Education empowers girls to make informed decisions about their lives, including health, career and family planning. 

It reduces gender inequality by creating opportunities for women to participate in leadership, politics and economic activities.

Education enables girls to break free from poverty by opening doors to opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. 

Educated mothers are more likely to educate their children on a number of issues including environmental conservation. 

Beyond schools, Dira Yetu Initiative engages with local communities through capacity-building workshops and partnerships with village governments for mangrove conservation.

They have also participated in the youth development conference in Dodoma, advocating for youth rights and responsibilities. 

Bilali expressed gratitude to ActionAid-Kilwa for their support, which has enabled the organization to implement all the transformative programmes.

 “Our goal is to create a safer and more sustainable environment for the children of Kilwa District,” she told The Guardian.

Dira Yetu Initiative continues to empower young minds and communities, fostering a generation that values education, respects rights and cherishes the environment.