New Bongo Flava Songs Promote Stigma Reduction and Children

As part of the recognition of World’s AIDs Day on 1 December, three anti-stigma Bongo Flava songs were launched in an open concert on November 30th, 2007, at the Biafra grounds in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  The event was supported by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and USAID through the Pact Tanzania’s Jali Watoto (Care for the Children) Initiative and Anti Stigma Campaign. The guest of honor was Sophia Simba, the Minister of Children, Gender and Community Development. 

The new songs are entitled Haki za Watoto, Usimtenge Mtoto and Tuwaonyeshe Upendo, and have been composed and performed by 15 Bongo Flava artists organized and trained by Rulu Arts Promoters. Musical groups performing the anti-stigma and other songs also included popular artists Banana Zorro, Fid Q, Top in Dar Band (TID).  The songs all deal with the stigma that vulnerable children face and how people must use positive language and messages to address this at both the personal and community levels.  To continue to spread the messages, the songs will be played on the radio and a video is being produced for air play on television.  The concert was free and there was estimated to be more 2000 people in attendance.

Throughout history, social campaigns and movements have used music and song to spread the message.  Songs are uplifting, memorable and are an effective means to rally people and change behaviours.  Musicians and artists have great influence over people, especially the youth.  What they say and do is watched by and emulated by millions.  Pact worked with a number of musicians and trained them in understanding stigma faced by children and youth.  They can then use their talents to educate others in a sensitive and positive manner.  Pact trained the artists in anti-stigma messages and they used the skills developed in the training to create positive messages about stigma and children. There were a number of songs written and three selected by a jury of musicians. Often musicians are accused of spreading negative messages to youth – this is not the case and Pact is proud to be associated with these artists and the event.  The theme of the concert was “All Children are our children” and this message was repeated throughout the event.

Many children, having lost their parents to HIV /AIDS, perhaps their homes, their livelihoods, and the care and support of immediate family, are often subject to abuse and exploitation – both in the community and at times, within their own extended families. Some children are unwilling to go to school because of the reaction of others. Some children are reluctant even to venture into their communities for fear of encountering stigma and negative attitudes, simply because HIV/AIDS has touched their families or the children themselves.  Attitudes can hurt, name–calling can hurt, feeling ostracized can hurt and being beaten and abused can really hurt.    These songs are a way to reach the many caretakers, to highlight the trauma that stigmatized children face and to popularize stigma reduction messages.  

The Jali Watoto Initiative provides assistance to orphans and other vulnerable children at risk in 22 districts on mainland Tanzania. Pact does this by providing resources and training to civil society and faith based organizations who work with community leaders to identify the most vulnerable children and provide them with the services they need.  Pact also trains caretakers on how to understand the challenge of stigma that children face.