Vwawa, Songwe — In the debate over youth unemployment in Tanzania, the focus often falls on macroeconomic policies, government loans, and infrastructure.
But during a recent youth dialogue in Vwawa, young people pointed to a more intimate challenge: the breakdown of family mentorship and the loss of practical, generational knowledge.
Yet, rather than wallowing in this loss, these youth are actively forging their own paths.
The session, recorded on June 14, 2026, and published on June 22, took place in the Itemba area of Vwawa. It was the ninth episode of the Dira Mtaani: Vijana Wanasemaje programme, organised by The Chanzo and Twaweza East Africa.
As the 16 participants discussed their struggles to achieve their dreams, they astutely diagnosed the generational disconnect.
They argued that parents are no longer passing down the practical skills needed to survive and thrive in regions like Songwe, which relies heavily on agriculture and trade.
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“Our culture of upbringing has changed,” one participant explained passionately, demonstrating a keen sociological awareness. “A parent might be a farmer, but they never take their child to the farm to teach them how to plant maize, beans, or coffee.
“They expect the child to wake up, eat, go to the toilet, and sit at home with no responsibilities. When that youth grows up, they have no direction and just depend on their parents.”
This lack of practical education is particularly devastating for youth from impoverished backgrounds. However, the youth in Vwawa are refusing to let this “poverty inheritance” define their futures.
They are actively seeking out knowledge and skills, often teaching themselves through trial and error.
“When you come from a poor family, the economic geography is harsh,” another young man noted, articulating the systemic barriers they face.
“Getting support from your parents is impossible because even getting food is a struggle,” he added. “So, getting the support to lift yourself out of that environment is very difficult.”
While the youth unemployment rate in Tanzania remains a critical challenge, the young people of Vwawa are actively creating their own employment in the informal sector, demonstrating remarkable ingenuity and adaptability.
READ MORE: Vwawa’s Youth Have Ambition, but Capital and Support Remain Out of Reach
The dialogue also revealed a cultural barrier to seeking help: a fear of approaching local government offices for advice or training. Yet, by openly discussing this fear, the youth are taking the first step toward overcoming it.
“We have opportunities, but we are afraid to start,” one participant confessed, showing vulnerability and self-awareness. “We need education. Some youth have capital, some have land, but they don’t know how to start.
“Others have livestock in the villages but don’t know how to raise them properly. And we are afraid to go to the district council to ask how to farm or raise animals. So we just fall back.”
By identifying the problem—a disconnect between citizens and the state, exacerbated by an environment where civil society and journalists face ongoing restrictions—these young people are laying the groundwork for change.
They are demanding that vital agricultural and business extension services become more accessible and less intimidating.
READ MORE: How Bureaucracy Locks Tarime’s Poorest Youth Out of Empowerment Funds
In the absence of strong mentorship and state support, many youth are drawing on their faith not as a passive crutch, but as an active source of resilience and motivation. Their spirituality fuels their daily hustle and gives them the strength to keep pushing forward.
“Life has no formula; you can go up today and come down tomorrow,” one young woman shared, her words echoing with hard-won wisdom.
“Many of us do things without faith. We don’t trust our tomorrow. But if you put your faith in God, you know that ‘one day, yes.’ Your faith is what gives you the light of hope.”
