It begins with me: What Coaching Boys Into Men taught me about leadership

Brown is only thirteen, but anyone who sees him would think he’s much older due to his maturity. As an athlete in the Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM) program, and as head prefect at Yusuf R. Makamba Primary School in Dar es Salaam, Brown serves as both a leader and a role model. His calm and thoughtful demeanor inspires others, making them feel safe and heard. 

Despite his many talents, Brown carries himself with humility. He doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. What makes him stand out as a leader is his willingness to ask for help—a lesson he has learned from CBIM.

“Change begins with me, but even the best need guidance. I need my teachers, parents and peers. My favorite CBIM cards are 'Personal Responsibility' and 'Self-Respect, Integrity & Non-Violence.' I have learned that I am accountable for my actions and my reputation," Brown said. 

Implemented by the ACHIEVE project, CBIM in an evidence-based violence prevention program developed by Futures Without Violence that leverages the power of sports by training coaches to teach adolescent boys how to reconsider traditional ideas of masculinity, challenge gender inequalities and embrace positive behaviors. This, in turn, helps develop healthy relationship skills and instills values of respect and equality among boys and their communities, with a strong emphasis on how they treat women and girls.

Core to the CBIM program are athletic coaches who can play an influential role in the lives of young men. For Brown this was Coach Peter Massawe. “[Coach Peter] always says, 'True leadership isn’t about power or control, but about helping others become better’. I will carry these lessons with me, whether on the field or in the classroom, motivating and supporting others,” Brown said.

Coach Peter has been instrumental in teaching athletes about responsibility, kindness and respect. He shares stories of teamwork and how it has taught him personally about how to respect every player on the field, regardless of skill level. "CBIM teaches that strength lies in kindness—knowing when to lead and when to listen. That is how we’ve made every athlete an ambassador. They understand that the change we want begins with individual efforts. As ambassadors, they serve as peer educators, helping teach other pupils. Now, many students approach me, eager to join the program, saying they want to become CBIM athletes too,” Coach Peter said. 

As part of the CBIM program, Coach Peter encourages athletes to focus on their goals and maintain discipline. “They understand the balance between competition and camaraderie, knowing that sports, like life, aren’t just about winning—it’s about how you play, how you treat your teammates and how you handle defeat,” he said. 

In 2024, ACHIEVE implemented the CBIM program in 11 councils, reaching 427 primary schools and more than 29,000 pupils. Further, in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania, through the Tanzania Commission for AIDS and the Tanzania Institute of Education, ACHIEVE facilitated the efforts to review and adopt the Futures Without Violence CBIM curriculum to match the Tanzanian context specific needs. “[CBIM’s] teaching practices are engaging, and many participants love them,” Fika Mwakabungu, the Director of Curriculum Training at the Tanzania Institute of Education said. 

Reflecting on his future, Brown said “I know that I’m not just a leader here; I am a leader in life. Even as I grow up, I will remember this. I want to be an engineer one day and lead not with authority, but with heart. I want to show others that positive masculinity is a strength, not a weakness."