African Rural Press in Action (ARUPA)

ARUPA works to:

• create awareness of fundamental human rights and the right to access information through mass media such as radio, television, and magazines;
• identify and advocate for human rights in relation to HIV/AIDS, child labour, the environment, and poverty;
• conduct short- and long-term training programmes for rural people and rural communicators;
• provide a forum for exchange of news and views, skills, and experience among non-governmental organisations (NGOs)/community-based organisations (CBOs) and bridging the information gaps between urban and rural people, and between the government and people at grassroots level; and
• establish active information systems.

ARUPA's Information, Education and Communication Programme (IECP) aims to promote and sensitise the community to fight against harmful traditional practices affecting children, women, and young people, and to advocate for human rights. This project involves the "Changamoto" (The Challenge) Newsletter, a Kiswahili quarterly newsletter which aims to provide a forum for exchange of news and views. More than 5,000 copies have been distributed to the community with up-to-date information related to the objectives of the organisation since 2001.

ARUPA also produces radio programmes and runs a number of radio spots and programmes ranging between 15-second spots to 15-minute radio programmes in collaboration with: CMSR, an Italy-based organisation with a branch in Dodoma; Environmental Network (DONET); and Radio Tanzania Central Zone, the community radio based in Dodoma Municipality. The radio programme is sponsored by SNV (Netherlands Development Organisation).

During the 2000 General election, ARUPA worked with the Capital Press Club CPC and DANIDA to produce a voter education radio programme through Radio One, a privately owned radio station.

ARUPA is working to implement a new six-month-long radio series addressing the issue of child labour and harmful traditional practices of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Through a group of 30 members comprising both genders, ARUPA is also addressing the problem of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV/AIDS, and providing services such as:

• Counseling
• Dissemination of condoms
• Animating young student groups in primary and secondary schools through frequent visits involving the performance of local dances, songs, and dramas
• Distribution of educational printed materials to enable the continuation of discussions and exchange of information among young people.

Youth, Health, Women, Children.

ARUPA is a member of Regional Library Board, District Task Force Member for Child Labour Elimination Campaign (ILO/IPEC Programme) and a promoter and information coordinator for three street children centres in Dodoma Municipality, namely, AGAPE, TUMAINI, and SAFINA - all supported by various local and international Christian donor agencies.