Cheka Sana’s outreach team works to identify street-connected women whose families are affected by extreme poverty and violence, circumstances that have often forced them to live on the streets and, at times, engage in sex work.

Cheka Sana offers these women the tools to build independent lives, beginning with psychosocial support to address their emotional and social needs. This is followed by life skills sessions designed to foster self-awareness, mutual trust and access to information about local health services, encouraging them to seek medical care when needed.

Cheka Sana’s use of group work and peer support is a key part of this process. The young women are enabled to form highly supportive peer groups with those who have had similar lived experiences and who understand the pressures and difficulties that they each face.

Cheka Sana’s use of group work and peer support is the key
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“One-to-one sessions, peer mediation, and psychosocial support gave me the chance to share my challenges and realise how I could determine my goals.” A participant in the Cheka Sana programme

Self-defence training groups further equip women with skills to protect themselves from abuse while building their confidence and ability to set boundaries, empowering them to take control of their futures.

Economic independence is the final step towards autonomy. Women are enrolled in apprenticeships such as tailoring, hairdressing, catering, and event decoration. With the support of a start-up kit, they can establish their own businesses and achieve financial security, enabling them to live in safer, more stable conditions away from the streets.

“My journey from a vulnerable street child to a mother and entrepreneur has shown me the transformative impact of Cheka Sana Tanzania. I can hardly believe I now see a bright future for myself and my children.” A participant in the Cheka Sana programme

With the support of a start-up kit, they can establish their own businesses
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Amos Trust is currently supporting Cheka Sana’s work with young mothers living on the streets and their children, as well as girls at risk of early pregnancy. This includes providing psychosocial support and counselling, entrepreneurship training to help them generate income, access to essential health services, and self-defence training.

Run Without Fear

We invited four young women from Cheka Sana Foundation in Tanzania, to join us in running the first Zanzibar Half Marathon for gender equality. This is their story.

Photography: Christoph Stulz and Tom Merilion