Young Mums Unite

In Tanzania, as in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), young mothers face significant challenges in accessing accurate and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information, commodities, and services. The scale of the problem is considerable, with teenage pregnancy rates in Tanzania being one of the highest in the world. According to the United Nation Population Fund, 27% of girls aged 15-19 have begun childbearing. This is a clear indication of the unmet need for SRHR services and information among young mothers.

Globally, it is estimated that 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 and some 1 million girls under 15 give birth every year, mostly in LMICs. These young mothers are often excluded from education and employment opportunities, further exacerbating existing socio-economic disparities. Additionally, young mothers often face significant stigma and discrimination, both from their communities and from healthcare providers, which can deter them from seeking the care and support they need.

The factors contributing to this problem that relate to our solution include a lack of access to accurate and comprehensive SRHR information, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and societal stigma and discrimination. These challenges are compounded by limiting cultural norms and economic disparities that particularly affect girls and young women in LMICs. Our solution aims to address these issues by providing young mothers with a supportive community where they can access accurate SRHR information, emotional support, and essential services.

Our support groups will also serve as a platform for young mothers to share their experiences and learn from one another, breaking down the barriers of stigma and discrimination that often isolate them. In addition, the support groups will be facilitated by trained professionals who can provide accurate SRHR information and refer young mothers to necessary services.

By addressing the unmet need for SRHR information and services among young mothers in Tanzania and globally, Young Mums Unite aims to empower these young women to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and well-being, ultimately improving their quality of life and that of their children.

Young Mums Unite is an initiative that provides support groups for young mothers, creating a safe space where they can access sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information, receive emotional support, and connect to essential services. Our solution is based on a community-centered approach that leverages the power of peer support and professional guidance to empower young mothers.

The core of our solution is the support groups, which are facilitated by trained professionals and consist of young mothers from similar age groups and backgrounds. These groups meet regularly to discuss various topics related to SRHR, parenting, and personal development. The discussions are guided by evidence-based information and tailored to the specific needs of young mothers.

We also provide access to SRHR services through partnerships with local healthcare providers. These services include family planning, antenatal care, postnatal care, and counseling. Our facilitators help young mothers navigate the healthcare system and access the services they need.

In addition to the support groups and access to services, we also provide young mothers with educational materials and resources to further their understanding of SRHR. This includes pamphlets, booklets, and online resources that cover a range of topics such as contraception, pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.

Since our inception, we have helped 190 young mothers in Shinyanga and Tabora, Tanzania, and we are on track to reach 800 young mothers by 2024. Our solution is scalable and adaptable, with the potential to expand to other regions and countries to support young mothers worldwide.

By providing young mothers with the knowledge, support, and services they need, Young Mums Unite empowers them to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and well-being. Our solution contributes to improved health outcomes for young mothers and their children and fosters a sense of community and support that is crucial for their personal development and empowerment.

Our solution, Young Mums Unite, serves young mothers aged 15-24 who are often marginalized and lack access to the necessary support and services required during and after pregnancy. In Tanzania, where we have initially focused our efforts, young mothers often face stigmatization, discrimination, and a lack of support. This is a global issue, as young mothers worldwide experience similar challenges, which are often exacerbated by poverty, lack of education, and limited access to healthcare services.

The young mothers we serve are typically underserved in several ways:

1. Lack of Information: Many young mothers lack accurate and comprehensive information about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), making it difficult for them to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

2. Emotional Support: Pregnancy and motherhood can be challenging, particularly for young mothers who may feel isolated and overwhelmed. There is often a lack of emotional support available to them.

3. Access to Services: Young mothers often face barriers to accessing essential health services, including family planning, antenatal care, postnatal care, and counseling.

4. Stigmatization and Discrimination: In many communities, young mothers face stigmatization and discrimination, which can impact their mental and emotional well-being.

Young Mums Unite addresses these needs through our support groups, which provide a safe and non-judgmental space for young mothers to connect with peers, share their experiences, and receive emotional support. The groups are facilitated by trained professionals who provide accurate and evidence-based information on SRHR, parenting, and personal development.

Our partnerships with local healthcare providers ensure that young mothers have access to essential health services. The facilitators assist young mothers in navigating the healthcare system and accessing the services they need, reducing the barriers they often face.

In addition to the support groups and access to services, we provide educational materials and resources to further enhance the knowledge of young mothers on SRHR and parenting.

The impact of our solution on the lives of young mothers is significant:

• Improved Knowledge and Awareness: Young mothers will have access to accurate and comprehensive information on SRHR, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

• Enhanced Emotional Support: The support groups provide a sense of community and emotional support, helping young mothers cope with the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood.

• Increased Access to Services: Our partnerships with healthcare providers ensure that young mothers have access to essential health services, improving their health outcomes and those of their children.

• Reduced Stigmatization and Discrimination: By providing a safe and non-judgmental space, Young Mums Unite helps to reduce the stigmatization and discrimination faced by young mothers.

The leadership and team of Young Mums Unite are well-positioned to deliver this solution due to our direct proximity and personal connection to the communities we are serving. Our team is comprised of individuals who have either experienced the challenges faced by young mothers or have been closely involved in supporting them.

Our team leader, Juliana, was a young mother herself, having experienced an early pregnancy. This personal experience has provided her with unique insights into the challenges faced by young mothers and the support they need. Juliana's story is not unique; it mirrors the experiences of many young mothers in Tanzania and worldwide. Her passion for supporting young mothers stems from her personal journey, which fuels her commitment to ensuring that other young mothers do not face the same challenges alone.

The rest of our team includes professionals with experience in sexual and reproductive health, counseling, and community development. Our team's diversity and expertise ensure a holistic approach to addressing the needs of young mothers.

We have a strong commitment to understanding the needs of the communities we serve and engaging them in the development and implementation of our solution. Our approach is rooted in community engagement and participatory methods, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of young mothers are central to our work.

Here are some of the ways we engage the communities we serve:

1. Community Consultations: We conduct regular community consultations to understand the needs, challenges, and aspirations of young mothers. These consultations inform the design and implementation of our support groups and other interventions.

2. Inclusive Design: Our support groups and educational materials are co-designed with young mothers, ensuring that they are culturally appropriate, relevant, and responsive to their needs.

3. Feedback Mechanisms: We have established feedback mechanisms to gather input from young mothers and the wider community on the effectiveness of our interventions. This feedback informs continuous improvement and ensures accountability.

4. Empowering Local Leaders: We identify and train local leaders from the community, including young mothers, to facilitate the support groups. This approach empowers local leaders and ensures the sustainability of our solution.

By drawing on Juliana's personal experience and the team's expertise, and by engaging the communities we serve in a meaningful and participatory manner, Young Mums Unite is uniquely positioned to deliver a solution that meets the needs of young mothers and contributes to positive outcomes for them and their children.

Our solution currently serves 190 young mothers in the regions of Shinyanga and Tabora in Tanzania. These young mothers have directly benefited from our support groups, gaining access to vital SRHR information, emotional support, and services tailored to their needs. Through our program, they have been able to connect with healthcare providers, receive counseling and support, and gain knowledge that empowers them to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. We are actively working to expand our reach and anticipate serving 800 young mothers by the year 2024.

Our solution is innovative because it takes a holistic approach to supporting young mothers by combining emotional support, access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information, and practical assistance. We leverage technology to reach young mothers who may be geographically isolated or unable to access traditional support networks.

One of the innovative aspects of our solution is the use of a mobile app and online platform that provides young mothers with access to SRHR information, support groups, and services in a confidential and easily accessible way. The platform also includes a chat feature that allows young mothers to connect with healthcare professionals and peer supporters who can provide personalized advice and support.

In addition to the technology, we have developed a unique mentorship program that pairs young mothers with older, experienced mothers from their community. This mentorship program provides young mothers with practical advice and emotional support from someone who has experienced similar challenges.

Our solution also includes partnerships with local healthcare providers to ensure that young mothers have access to the services they need, including prenatal and postnatal care, family planning, and counseling. By collaborating with existing healthcare infrastructure, we are able to extend the reach and impact of our solution.

Our approach is innovative because it is women-led and community-driven. The team leader and majority of the team members are young women who have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by young mothers. We work closely with the communities we serve to ensure that our solution is tailored to their needs and that they are actively involved in the design and implementation of the program.

Our solution could catalyze broader positive impacts in the space by demonstrating the effectiveness of a holistic, community-driven approach to supporting young mothers. It could also contribute to the development of new models for leveraging technology to reach and support vulnerable populations. Additionally, our solution could change the market by creating new opportunities for collaboration between technology companies, healthcare providers, and community organizations.

Over the next year, our impact goals include:

1. Expand the reach of our support groups to serve an additional 800 young mothers in Tanzania, specifically targeting rural and underserved areas.
2. Develop and launch our mobile app and online platform, with the goal of reaching at least 1,000 users in the first year.
3. Establish partnerships with at least five local healthcare providers to offer comprehensive SRHR services to the young mothers in our program.

To achieve these goals, we will focus on community outreach and engagement to identify and connect with young mothers in need of support. We will work closely with our technology partners to develop and launch the mobile app and online platform, and collaborate with local healthcare providers to integrate our services. We will also leverage our existing network of supporters and partners to help raise awareness and generate funding for our program.

Over the next five years, our impact goals include:

1. Expand the reach of our support groups to serve at least 5,000 young mothers across Tanzania.
2. Grow our online platform to reach at least 10,000 users, with a focus on reaching young mothers in other countries in the region.
3. Establish a network of healthcare providers across Tanzania to offer comprehensive SRHR services to all young mothers in our program.

To achieve these goals, we will continue to scale up our community outreach and engagement efforts, leveraging technology to reach young mothers in remote areas. We will also explore opportunities for partnership and collaboration with other organizations working in the SRHR space to amplify our impact. Additionally, we will continue to seek funding and support from a range of sources, including grants, donations, and social enterprise models.

In terms of alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, our solution contributes to Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by improving access to SRHR information and services, and Goal 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering young mothers and giving them the tools and support they need to thrive. 

Our impact goals are designed to drive meaningful and lasting change for young mothers, and we will continuously monitor and evaluate our progress to ensure that we are making a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

Our theory of change for Young Mums Unite can be explained in the following steps:

1. Activities:

   • Establish support groups in various communities.
   • Develop and launch an online platform and mobile app.
   • Form partnerships with local healthcare providers.

2. Immediate Outputs:

   • A network of support groups providing emotional support, SRHR information, and access to services.
   • An accessible online platform and mobile app that provides SRHR information and connects young mothers with support groups and services.
   • A range of SRHR services available to young mothers through our healthcare partners.

3. Short-term Outcomes:

   • Improved knowledge and understanding of SRHR among young mothers.
   • Increased access to emotional support and a sense of community.
   • Improved access to SRHR services.

4. Long-term Outcomes:

   • Improved SRHR outcomes for young mothers.
   • Empowered young mothers who are able to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
   • A reduction in the number of young mothers experiencing SRHR-related issues.

5. Evidence to Support Links:

   • Third-party research indicates that support groups and community networks can have a significant impact on emotional well-being and health outcomes.
   • Data from our pilot program in Shinyanga and Tabora, Tanzania, shows that young mothers who participated in our support groups reported feeling more supported and having a better understanding of SRHR.
   • Interviews with young mothers in our target population have highlighted a lack of SRHR information and services, underscoring the need for our solution.

On our solution team for Young Mums Unite, we have the following:

• Full-time staff: 4
• Part-time staff: 2
• Contractors or other workers: 0

This brings the total number of people working on our solution to 6. Our team is dedicated to ensuring the success of our support groups and the broader impact of our solution on the lives of young mothers.

We have been working on our solution, Young Mums Unite, since February 2023. During this time, we have focused on establishing and developing our support groups for young mothers, providing them with vital Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information, emotional support, and access to essential services. Our work has already positively impacted the lives of young mothers in our communities, and we are committed to expanding our reach and deepening our impact in the years to come.

In our work, we emphasize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to ensure that every young mother, regardless of her background, has access to the support and resources she needs. Our team and leadership reflect the communities we serve, bringing a range of perspectives and experiences that enrich our work and make it more effective.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all young mothers feel welcomed, respected, and valued. Our support groups are open to all young mothers, and we make sure to accommodate their diverse needs, including language, cultural practices, and other considerations. We actively seek feedback from the young mothers we serve to ensure that our programs are responsive to their needs and experiences.

We recognize that achieving true equity requires addressing systemic barriers that have historically marginalized certain groups. Therefore, we work to identify and dismantle these barriers in our programs and advocacy work. This includes advocating for policies and practices that support young mothers and their children, as well as working with community leaders and other stakeholders to create a more supportive environment for young mothers.

In the future, we aim to further diversify our team and leadership to ensure that we are representative of the communities we serve. We will also continue to evaluate and improve our programs to ensure they are inclusive and meet the needs of all young mothers, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Our business model is centered around providing support and resources to young mothers, with a focus on their sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) needs.

Key Beneficiaries: Our primary beneficiaries are young mothers, particularly those in the communities of Shinyanga and Tabora in Tanzania. These young women often face a range of challenges, from limited access to SRHR information and services, to social stigma and isolation. Our support groups aim to address these challenges by providing a safe and supportive environment where young mothers can receive SRHR information, emotional support, and access to relevant services.

Products and Services: Our main product is the support group program, which includes:

1. SRHR Information Sessions: These sessions are led by trained facilitators and cover a range of topics related to sexual and reproductive health rights.
2. Emotional Support: We provide a space where young mothers can share their experiences and support each other emotionally.
3. Access to Services: We collaborate with local health providers and other relevant organizations to ensure that young mothers have access to the services they need.

How We Provide Our Services: Our support groups are held in community centers or other accessible locations within the communities we serve. We also utilize online platforms to reach young mothers who may not be able to attend in-person sessions.

Revenue Streams: Our primary revenue stream comes from grants and donations from individuals, organizations, and foundations that support our mission. We are also exploring other potential revenue streams, such as charging a small fee for attendance at our support groups or selling merchandise related to our mission.

Impact: Our impact is measured by the number of young mothers we reach, as well as the positive changes we see in their lives as a result of our support. This includes improvements in their knowledge of SRHR, increased emotional well-being, and better access to relevant services. Our ultimate goal is to empower young mothers to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, and to create a supportive community that can help them thrive.

To achieve financial sustainability, we are employing a multifaceted approach that combines various revenue streams.

1. Grants and Donations: Our primary source of funding will continue to be grants and donations. We will seek funding from foundations, non-profit organizations, and government programs that align with our mission. We also plan to engage individual donors through fundraising campaigns and events. We will utilize online platforms to reach a broader audience and increase our fundraising potential.

2. Fee-for-Service: We are considering implementing a fee-for-service model for our support groups. This would involve charging a small fee for participation to cover the cost of the program. We understand that our beneficiaries may have limited financial resources, so we will strive to keep the fee affordable and provide scholarships or sliding scale options to ensure that our services are accessible to all young mothers who need them.

3. Selling Merchandise: Another potential revenue stream we are exploring is the sale of merchandise related to our mission. This could include items such as t-shirts, bags, and other products with empowering messages for young mothers. The proceeds from these sales would be used to support our programs.

4. Service Contracts with Governments: In the long term, we plan to seek service contracts with local and national governments. This would involve providing our support group program as a service to young mothers in different communities, with the government covering the cost.

5. Partnerships with Local Businesses: We will also explore partnerships with local businesses to secure sponsorships and in-kind donations. In return, we will provide promotional opportunities for these businesses, such as featuring their logo on our website and promotional materials.

Our goal is to diversify our revenue streams to ensure a steady flow of funds that can support our programs and operations. We will continuously monitor our financial performance and make adjustments as needed to achieve a balance between revenue and expenses. This will allow us to remain sustainable in the long term and continue serving young mothers in need.