Okoa New Generation (ONG) works to empower children, youth, and persons with disabilities through inclusive, sustainable, and rights-based programs. Our strategic objectives guide our interventions for meaningful and long-term impact.
Okoa New Generation believes that education is the key to breaking cycles of poverty and inequality. Our programs focus on removing socio-economic and cultural barriers that prevent vulnerable children particuarly marginalized girls and children with disabilities—from accessing and completing quality education.
In Tanzania, 31% of girls are married before the age of 18, and 27% of adolescent girls experience early pregnancy, both of which are major contributors to school dropout rates. Additionally, 48% of schoolgirls miss school due to menstruation, often because they lack access to menstrual products and safe sanitation facilities. These challenges are compounded by discrimination, financial hardship, and limited disability support, with only 51% of children with disabilities attending school.
Our program focusses on promoting inclusive education by creating disability-friendly learning environments, supporting menstrual health to reduce absenteeism, training teachers in inclusive and gender-responsive practices, engaging communities to challenge harmful norms like child marriage, and equipping girls with leadership and life skills to foster confidence and resilience. Through these efforts, we ensure every child, regardless of gender, ability, or background can thrive academically and socially, empowering girls to complete their education and become agents of change in building a more just and inclusive future.
We empower youth, adolescents, and young women with knowledge, services, and safe spaces to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. Access to accurate information and respectful healthcare is essential for young people to lead healthy lives. Our programs provide comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly services, and community engagement to challenge stigma and harmful norms.
In Tanzania, 1 million women and girls face unintended pregnancies each year, and 39% of these result in abortions, the vast majority of which are unsafe. Unsafe abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal deaths, accounting for up to 19% of maternal mortality. Many girls seek abortion due to sexual violence, lack of contraceptives, or fear of dropping out of school—often resorting to unsafe methods that threaten their health and lives.
HIV is another critical concern. In sub-Saharan Africa, young women aged 15–24 account for 67% of new HIV infections among youth, driven by limited access to SRHR services, gender inequality, and lack of education. Our approach is rooted in dignity, gender equality, and the belief that empowered youth are key to building resilient communities. By addressing unsafe abortion, unintended pregnancy, HIV risk, and gender-based violence, we help young people protect their health, stay in school, and shape their futures with confidence
Economic empowerment is central to sustainable development. We equip youth and young women with skills development, vocational training, entrepreneurship coaching, financial literacy, mentorship, market linkages, and access to resources—enabling them to launch or grow businesses, increase income, and build resilient livelihoods. In Tanzania, over 800,000 youth enter the job market each year, yet formal employment remains limited. Many face barriers such as lack of capital, limited market access, and gender-based discrimination. Although 54.3% of enterprises are women-owned, most operate informally and struggle to scale. Only 4% of women are in paid employment, and many rely on unstable income sources.
Our programs focus on practical, community-driven solutions that foster economic independence. We use business case model to identify viable local economic opportunities and builds tailored support systems around them. Beneficiaries are grouped into clusters based on interest and market potential. Each group receives training, startup kits, mentorship, and access to savings and loan schemes. The model promotes peer learning, accountability, and sustainability, ensuring that businesses are not only launched but nurtured to grow. Strengthening financial resilience enables youth and young women to support themselves and their families, contribute to community development, and lead lives of dignity and independence
We advocate for a society where persons with disabilities are not only supported but celebrated. Our work focuses on improving access to livelihood opportunities and essential services such as healthcare, education, and social protection, while promoting inclusive policies and practices. We empower individuals with disabilities to achieve financial independence and create platforms for them to voice their needs and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives and communities.
In Tanzania, approximately 12% of adults aged 15 and older experience some form of functional difficulty, with higher prevalence among women (13.2%) than men (10.8%). Despite this, persons with disabilities face significant barriers to employment, education, and healthcare. Only 56% of adults with severe disabilities are employed, compared to 86% of those without disabilities. Multidimensional poverty affects 98% of persons with severe disabilities, highlighting deep disparities in access to basic services and opportunities. Our programs address these gaps through entrepreneurship and vocational training, improved access to education and health services, and active inclusion in leadership and decision-making processes. We promote inclusive sports, community engagement, and policy advocacy to ensure persons with disabilities are recognized as equal contributors to development and empowered to lead lives of dignity and independence
To drive lasting change, we invest in strengthening our internal systems, staff competencies, and program design to ensure efficiency, quality, and responsiveness. We cultivate strategic partnerships with government institutions, civil society, and international organizations to expand our reach, share resources, and align with broader development goals.
As a learning organization, we prioritize continuous improvement through regular reflection, data-driven decision-making, and adaptive programming. We promote a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration—encouraging staff and stakeholders to contribute ideas, evaluate outcomes, and refine approaches. This enables us to remain agile in addressing emerging challenges and community needs, while ensuring our initiatives are impactful, scalable, and sustainable.
Our commitment to organizational growth ensures that Okoa New Generation remains a trusted, effective, and forward-thinking partner in advancing inclusive development.