Life Rhythm

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education is a crucial element for promoting the well-being and autonomy of young people, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like Tanzania. However, there are numerous barriers that prevent young people from accessing comprehensive and accurate SRHR information, commodities, and services.

Globally, there are approximately 1.8 billion young people aged 10 to 24, with about 90% living in developing countries where access to SRHR education is often limited (UNFPA, 2021). In Tanzania, approximately 77% of the population is below the age of 35, with a significant portion lacking comprehensive SRHR education (NBS Tanzania, 2022).

The problem is multifaceted and stems from a combination of factors including cultural taboos, societal stigma, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. In many LMICs, cultural norms and religious beliefs often hinder open discussions about sexual and reproductive health, making it difficult for young people to access accurate information. In Tanzania, for instance, sexuality education is often viewed as a taboo topic, with parents and teachers feeling uncomfortable discussing it with young people.

Furthermore, young people often face barriers in accessing SRHR services due to lack of privacy, judgement from healthcare providers, and limited availability of youth-friendly services. In Tanzania, only 12% of sexually active unmarried women aged 15-24 use modern contraception, which is indicative of the limited access to SRHR commodities and services (DHS Tanzania, 2016).

Life Rhythm seeks to address this problem by utilizing cultural dance as a medium to provide SRHR education. This innovative approach aims to break down cultural barriers and provide an engaging and culturally relevant way for young people to learn about SRHR. The use of dance will not only make the learning process more enjoyable but also facilitate open discussions about SRHR topics in a non-threatening and supportive environment.

The impact of this solution has the potential to be significant, both in the communities we are working in and globally. By improving access to SRHR education, we can empower young people to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, thereby improving their overall well-being and life outcomes. This approach aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal 3.7, which aims to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning, information, and education, by 2030.

Life Rhythm is a pioneering solution that leverages the power of cultural dance as a medium for delivering sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education. Our program provides vital information in an engaging, culturally sensitive, and effective manner, directly addressing the needs of young people in Tanzania and beyond.

At its core, Life Rhythm is a series of live events that blend traditional cultural dance with essential SRHR education. Each event features performances by local dance troupes, followed by interactive educational sessions facilitated by trained SRHR educators. The dance performances serve as an icebreaker, creating a comfortable and open environment that encourages participation and facilitates learning.

During the educational sessions, attendees receive comprehensive information on a range of SRHR topics, including contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and gender-based violence. The sessions are interactive and use innovative teaching methods to ensure that the information is easily understood and retained. Importantly, the program is designed to be culturally sensitive, respecting local norms and values while also challenging harmful practices and beliefs that can impede young people's access to SRHR education and services.

Since its inception in June 2023, Life Rhythm has successfully conducted nine events, reaching hundreds of young people with vital SRHR education. The response from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting increased knowledge and understanding of SRHR topics. Our program has also garnered support from local communities and stakeholders, further validating the need for innovative approaches to SRHR education.

In terms of technology, Life Rhythm utilizes social media and other digital platforms to promote events and engage with our audience. This includes sharing educational content, live streaming events, and facilitating online discussions that allow young people to ask questions and receive accurate information in real-time. Additionally, we are exploring the possibility of developing a mobile application that will provide SRHR education at the fingertips of young people, further increasing the accessibility of our program.

Our solution primarily serves young people aged 15-24 in Tanzania, with a particular focus on those living in underserved communities. This demographic often lacks access to accurate and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education due to various barriers such as cultural taboos, limited resources, and lack of relevant educational programs.

Young people in these communities are often left to navigate complex and challenging SRHR issues without the necessary knowledge and support. This can result in a range of negative outcomes, including unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and gender-based violence. Furthermore, the lack of SRHR education can perpetuate harmful practices and beliefs that hinder young people's ability to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

Life Rhythm directly addresses the needs of these young people by providing them with the essential SRHR education they need in an engaging, culturally sensitive, and effective manner. By utilizing cultural dance as a medium for delivering education, we are able to break down barriers and create a comfortable and open environment that fosters learning. This approach also allows us to reach young people who may be otherwise difficult to engage, such as those who are out of school or living in remote areas.

Our program covers a range of SRHR topics, including contraception, STIs, and gender-based violence. The educational sessions are interactive and use innovative teaching methods to ensure that the information is easily understood and retained. Importantly, the program is designed to be culturally sensitive, respecting local norms and values while also challenging harmful practices and beliefs.

The impact of our solution on the lives of young people in Tanzania will be significant. By providing them with accurate and comprehensive SRHR education, we are empowering them to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. This, in turn, will contribute to improved health outcomes, including reduced rates of unintended pregnancies and STIs. Furthermore, by challenging harmful practices and beliefs, we are promoting gender equality and helping to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

I was born and raised in Sengerema - Tanzania, in a family deeply rooted in traditional dance, as my father was a traditional dancer. This rich cultural background provides me with a unique and authentic understanding of the community we are aiming to serve. I have personally witnessed the challenges and barriers that young people face when it comes to accessing accurate and comprehensive SRHR education. My lived experiences have not only shaped my passion for this cause but also equipped me with the cultural knowledge and insights necessary to create a solution that is culturally sensitive and relevant.

My team and I are deeply committed to working closely with the communities we serve to ensure our solution meets their needs and respects their values. We have developed strong relationships with community leaders, local NGOs, and other stakeholders to help inform and guide our work. This collaboration is crucial in ensuring that our solution is grounded in the realities and nuances of the local context.

We have also implemented a participatory approach to design and implementation, actively engaging young people in the process. We conduct regular consultations and workshops to gather their input, ideas, and feedback. This ensures that our program is not only informed by the needs and perspectives of the community but also empowers young people to take an active role in addressing the SRHR challenges they face.

Our approach to community engagement is continuous and iterative. We are constantly seeking feedback and learning from our experiences to refine and improve our solution. This includes conducting regular evaluations and impact assessments to understand the effectiveness of our program and identify areas for improvement.

Our solution has served approximately 650 participants since its inception in June 2023. These individuals have actively engaged with our program, participating in cultural dance events that integrate SRHR education. Through these events, participants have had the opportunity to learn about sexual and reproductive health rights, ask questions, and gain access to essential information and resources that can help them make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. 

By creating a safe and culturally relevant space, we have been able to reach and engage a diverse group of young people, providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate their sexual and reproductive health journey with confidence and autonomy.

Our solution is innovative because it utilizes cultural dance as a medium to provide SRHR education. This approach capitalizes on the existing cultural practices and traditions to teach and inform communities about sexual and reproductive health rights. By incorporating SRHR education into cultural dance, we are able to engage communities in a familiar and enjoyable activity while also providing valuable information that can improve their health outcomes.

Our solution is designed to be culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve. We work closely with local dance groups and cultural leaders to ensure that our program is respectful of local traditions and customs. This approach not only helps to build trust and rapport with the community, but also ensures that the SRHR education we provide is relevant and applicable to their specific cultural context.

The use of cultural dance as a medium for SRHR education also provides an opportunity for communities to reclaim and reinterpret traditional practices in a way that supports and empowers women and girls. In many cases, cultural traditions and practices can be harmful to women and girls, such as female genital mutilation or early marriage. By using dance to teach about SRHR, we are able to challenge and change these harmful practices while also preserving and celebrating the positive aspects of culture.

Our solution could catalyze broader positive impacts by serving as a model for other organizations and communities seeking to provide SRHR education in a culturally sensitive and effective way. The use of dance as an educational tool is a novel approach that could be applied to other topics and contexts, and our program could serve as a blueprint for others seeking to utilize cultural practices in their educational programs.

Over the next year, our impact goals are:

1. Reach 5,000 individuals with SRHR education through cultural dance events. We plan to achieve this by organizing more events in different communities and collaborating with local dance groups to integrate SRHR education into their performances.

2. Improve SRHR knowledge and attitudes among 80% of event participants. We will conduct pre- and post-event surveys to assess the impact of the dance events on participants' knowledge and attitudes towards SRHR.

3. Establish partnerships with at least 5 local organizations working in SRHR or cultural preservation. These partnerships will help us to broaden our reach and enhance the impact of our program.

Over the next five years, our impact goals are:

1. Reach 100,000 individuals with SRHR education through cultural dance events. We will expand our program to other regions and countries, partnering with local dance groups and organizations to bring our events to new communities.

2. Improve SRHR knowledge and attitudes among 90% of event participants. We will refine our program based on feedback from participants and continually update our materials to ensure they are relevant and effective.

3. Establish a training program for local dance groups to integrate SRHR education into their performances. This will help to sustain the impact of our program and ensure that SRHR education continues to be delivered through cultural dance events even after our direct involvement ends.

4. Conduct research to assess the long-term impact of our program on SRHR outcomes in the communities we serve. This research will help to build the evidence base for our approach and demonstrate its effectiveness in improving SRHR knowledge and outcomes.

Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are ambitious but achievable. We are committed to leveraging the power of cultural dance to improve SRHR knowledge and outcomes in communities around the world. 

Through our events, partnerships, and research, we will work to create a transformational impact on people's lives and contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health, gender equality, and cultural preservation.

Our solution leverages the power of cultural dance as an engaging medium to deliver Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education to communities. Here is a simplified theory of change for our solution:

1. Activities:

   • Organize cultural dance events in communities.
   • Integrate SRHR education messages into dance performances.
   • Collaborate with local dance groups and SRHR organizations.

2. Immediate Outputs:

   • Increased exposure of communities to SRHR information.
   • Enhanced understanding and awareness of SRHR among community members.
   • Strengthened relationships with local organizations and dance groups.

3. Short-term Outcomes:

   • Improved knowledge and attitudes towards SRHR.
   • Increased discussions about SRHR within communities.
   • Enhanced support from local organizations and dance groups.

4. Long-term Outcomes:

   • Positive behavior change related to SRHR.
   • Improved SRHR outcomes in communities.
   • Sustained impact through the integration of SRHR education in cultural dance performances.

5. Evidence and Support:

   • Our events since June 2023 have reached approximately 650 participants, demonstrating the feasibility and acceptance of our approach.
   • Feedback from participants and local organizations has been positive, indicating the potential for positive impact on SRHR knowledge and attitudes.
   • Research on the effectiveness of cultural and art-based approaches in health education supports the potential of our solution to influence behavior change.

• Full-time staff: 4
  1. Team Leader and Project Manager
  2. Event Coordinator
  3. Marketing Specialist
  4. Dance Instructor
• Part-time staff: 2
  1. Logistics Manager
  2. Finance and Administration Officer
• Contractors or other workers: 1
  1. Cultural and SRHR Expert

We have been working on our solution for approximately 4 months since June 2023. During this time, we have conducted 9 events that combined cultural dance with SRHR education, reaching about 650 participants and positively impacting their lives by providing valuable information in an engaging and culturally relevant manner. Our team has worked diligently to develop and refine our approach, ensuring that it is effective in conveying important SRHR information while also being respectful and inclusive of the local culture and traditions.

At Life Rhythm, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all aspects of our work. We recognize the importance of these values in promoting a positive and inclusive environment that reflects the communities we serve.

Our leadership team is diverse, consisting of individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds. This diversity brings a range of perspectives and experiences that enrich our work and allow us to better understand and serve our target population. We are committed to maintaining and increasing this diversity as we grow and expand our team.

In terms of equity, we strive to provide equal access to opportunities and advancement for all members of our team. We recognize that equitable environments address disparities and work to eliminate systemic barriers that have prevented marginalized groups from fully participating. We are committed to creating an environment where all team members have the resources and support they need to succeed and thrive.

Inclusivity is also a core value at Life Rhythm. We are dedicated to creating an environment where all team members feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. We believe that a truly inclusive environment is one where everyone feels they belong and can contribute to their fullest potential.

To achieve these goals, we have taken several actions, including:

1. Implementing policies and practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
2. Regularly reviewing and updating these policies to ensure they are effective and reflect the needs of our team and the communities we serve.
3. Providing training and resources to our team members to help them understand and embrace these values.
4. Actively seeking feedback from our team and the communities we serve to understand how we can improve and better incorporate these values into our work.

At Life Rhythm, our business model focuses on providing value to our beneficiaries through our innovative approach of integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education with cultural dance, with a special focus on young people in Tanzania and globally.

Our key beneficiaries are adolescents and young people, particularly girls and women, who are in need of comprehensive SRHR education. We provide them with valuable information and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health in a culturally sensitive and engaging manner.

We conduct events that incorporate cultural dance performances with SRHR education sessions. These events serve as a platform to disseminate accurate and relevant SRHR information while also celebrating and preserving cultural heritage. The combination of dance and education creates a unique and effective method of communication that resonates with our target audience.

Our revenue streams come from a variety of sources including:

1. Ticket sales for events
2. Donations and grants from individuals, foundations, and organizations that support our mission
3. Sponsorships from businesses and organizations that align with our values and goals
4. Merchandise sales such as branded clothing and accessories

Our goal is to expand our reach and impact by conducting more events and reaching more beneficiaries. We plan to diversify our revenue streams by exploring new partnerships, increasing merchandise sales, and seeking additional funding opportunities.

Our plan for becoming financially sustainable is multi-faceted and designed to ensure that our revenue streams align with our mission and goals. We aim to create a diverse set of income sources to sustain and expand our work in the long term. Here are our key strategies:

1. Ticket Sales for Events: We will continue to sell tickets for our cultural dance events, which provide SRHR education. As our events gain popularity and reach more communities, we anticipate increased ticket sales revenue.

2. Donations and Grants: We will actively seek donations and grants from individuals, foundations, and organizations that share our commitment to improving SRHR education and outcomes. We will maintain a strong focus on building relationships with potential donors and partners.

3. Sponsorships: We will pursue sponsorships from businesses and organizations that align with our mission and values. Sponsorships can provide both financial support and opportunities for collaboration and promotion.

4. Merchandise Sales: We will expand our merchandise sales, including branded clothing and accessories. This not only generates revenue but also serves as a form of advocacy and brand promotion.

5. Workshops and Training: We will explore opportunities to offer workshops and training sessions on SRHR education using cultural dance as a medium. These sessions can be fee-based and provide an additional source of income.

6. Partnerships: We will seek partnerships with educational institutions, local governments, and non-profit organizations to deliver SRHR education through our unique approach. Service contracts and collaborations can generate steady income.

7. Online Content: We will develop and sell online content, such as instructional videos and educational materials, to a global audience interested in SRHR education through cultural dance.

8. Investment Capital: In the future, we may explore investment opportunities from impact investors or social venture capitalists who align with our mission and can provide the necessary capital for scaling our operations.

Our aim is to gradually reduce our reliance on donations and grants as we grow our ticket sales, merchandise sales, and service contracts. We understand the importance of diversifying our revenue streams to ensure long-term financial sustainability while staying true to our mission of providing SRHR education in a culturally sensitive manner.

We will continually monitor our financial performance, conduct regular audits, and make adjustments to our revenue strategies as needed to ensure that our income streams align with our expenses and growth plans. Ultimately, we aim to build a financially sustainable model that allows us to expand our impact and reach even more communities with our innovative SRHR education approach.