In early August, the Women and Child Vision (WOCHIVI) team, along with Ms. Perpetua Massanja, the IOGT program officer, conducted a monitoring visit to Oloirieni Ward in Arusha City Council to assess the progress of the alcohol and drug abuse prevention project. The visit aimed to evaluate the project’s impact, identify any challenges faced, and discuss strategies to strengthen the initiative’s effectiveness in the community. During the monitoring, the team engaged with local leaders, school representatives, and community members to gather feedback on the awareness campaigns and educational activities implemented under the project.

The evaluation highlighted several positive outcomes, including increased awareness about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse among youth and a growing community commitment to supporting prevention efforts. Ms. Massanja and the WOCHIVI team observed that the project’s activities, such as educational workshops, distribution of informational materials, and school-based programs, had made a noticeable difference in changing attitudes towards substance abuse. The monitoring also provided an opportunity to discuss ways to address identified gaps, such as the need for additional resources and training for local facilitators to enhance the project’s reach and sustainability.

The visit concluded with a commitment from both IOGT and WOCHIVI to continue supporting Oloirieni Ward in its efforts to prevent substance abuse and promote healthier lifestyles. The monitoring exercise underscored the importance of ongoing community involvement and the need to adapt project strategies to the specific needs of the area. Moving forward, WOCHIVI and IOGT will collaborate closely to ensure that the project remains impactful, empowering the community to safeguard its youth against the dangers of alcohol and drugs.