Education is the Key to Healthier Communities
The greatest wealth is health – Virgil
April 7, marks International Health Day, which is a global celebration of health and well-being. The theme for the 2025 World Health Day – Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Future – is in line with Asante Africa Foundation’s mission to empower communities in East Africa through education, health and economic development. At Asante Africa, we believe that healthy beginnings are the foundation of a hopeful future. Riding on this belief, we have designed programs that have been tailored to support the well-being of individuals, families and the communities at large, to ensure a brighter future.
We introduced the Wezesha Vijana Program (WVP) to empower adolescent girls in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. Through this Program, we have unlocked access to menstrual health management, reproductive health education and mentorship, where we enable the girls to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Through our WVP school clubs, girls can openly discuss their health concerns and receive support from their peers and mentors.
In tandem with this year’s World Health Day theme, we are committed to supporting efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and through the Wezesha Vijana Program, we have provided comprehensive reproductive health education to numerous women, young girls, and boys.
Building a healthier community through education – An ongoing reproductive health session
Moreover, through our programs, the alumni, as well as our students have been equipped to come up with projects that boost the health and well-being of people in their communities. Among some of these projects are the construction of clean water sources, latrines and handwashing stations. Through the WVP, and inspired by our Pay-it-Forward model, a group of students at the Kyabakulungo Primary School in Uganda launched a matooke (banana) project, to fund sanitary pads for their peers. The lack of sanitary pads was a challenge that forced a large number of girls out of school during their menstrual period.
Solomon teaching his peers about the menstrual cycle
Likewise, Solomon, a student in Kenya, through the WVP, braced all odds to become a confident leader who advocates for girls’ rights and educates his peers about reproductive health. In the same vein, Tumukunde, who is also a young student leader from Uganda, is leading other boys to support and stand up for their female peers.
As we celebrate International Health Day, we urge governments, the health community, and individuals to join us in prioritizing women’s health and well-being. Together, we can create a brighter future for all. Join us in supporting our programs and helping us create a world where every individual has access to quality healthcare and opportunities to thrive.
WRITTEN BY: Halisatu Aziz