How My Coffee Point Encounter Transformed Me

Meet Mzee Kinesia, a father and farmer residing in Matongo Village in central Tanzania, where he is a village leader.

Mzee once held the belief that men should not seek HIV screenings, viewing it as a sign of weakness. But a serendipitous encounter at the renowned ‘Kijiwe cha Kahawa’ coffee point in the Singida region transformed his perspective forever.

Kijiwe cha Kahawa holds cultural significance as a place where people from various backgrounds and ages can engage in discussions, exchange stories, and share news. In many communities, such coffee points serve as informal meeting spots, often located in public areas like markets, street corners, or busy squares.

In January 2023, Mzee Kinesia found himself at the coffee point where healthcare workers were raising awareness about HIV. The message struck a chord with him, igniting a desire to change the narrative within his community. He joined forces with the dedicated health workers at Ikungi Health Centre, a facility supported by the USAID Afya Yangu Northern Project implemented by EGPAF, Engenderhealth, Amref, D-Tree and Matchboxology. Mzee quickly became a powerful advocate for HIV awareness, testing, and retention. In addition, he fearlessly tackled gender-based violence cases, reporting and supporting those in need.

Lena Clalid, a nurse at Ikungi Health Centre, discusses HIV self-testing with Mzee Kinesia, who was energized to become a male champion after an HIV education session at a “coffee point.” Photo by Nuru Ngailo, EGPAF, 2023.

Thanks to Mzee’s efforts, 68 men have already visited the health facility for HIV and TB testing, shattering the barriers that once kept them away. His call for more community awareness on gender-based violence and HIV and TB health services has sparked a movement, with a remarkable outreach strategy in place.

Lena Claud, a registered nurse at Ikungi Health Centre, praised the impact of their outreach services at the coffee points. By providing vital HIV and TB and family planning and gender-based violence awareness, especially to men in the area, they have fostered a culture of testing and support. During the last tracking period (June – December 2022) efforts around the coffee point have resulted in reaching 992 men and testing 457 individuals for HIV, enabling timely enrollment into treatment for those in need.

In Singida, a coffee encounter paved the way for change, as Mzee Kinesia and the health workers came together to break barriers in the fight against HIV. Their dedication and courage stand as a beacon of hope, inspiring a brighter, healthier future for their community.

With coffee-fueled determination and unwavering commitment, they are rewriting the story of Singida, one courageous step at a time.