Selected to lead, equipped to make a difference
For Jackson Joseph Bia, a Change-Maker from Tanzania, one conversation became a defining moment.
During a student discussion at the University of Dodoma, Jackson facilitated an open dialogue on stress, mental health, academic pressure and the challenges many students face while balancing university life. He encouraged students to speak openly and seek support through campus gender desks, university health centres or national health helplines, reminding them that they did not have to struggle alone.
After the session, one student approached him privately.
The student shared that they had been silently battling academic and personal pressures for months but had never spoken to anyone. The discussion, they said, helped them realise they were not alone and gave them the confidence to seek help.
A few weeks later, the student returned.
"They told me they were doing much better and had started taking positive steps to manage their situation," Jackson recalls.
Another milestone came during activities marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, when Jackson was invited to speak on CFM Radio in Dodoma about gender-based violence, its causes and prevention. The response was overwhelming. Listeners called and messaged the station seeking advice and asking questions, while many more continued the conversation through his social media platforms.
"These moments made me realize that my work is making a real difference," he says. "It is not just about speaking or sharing information. It is about creating spaces where young people feel informed, heard and empowered to take positive action in their lives."
Jackson's experience reflects the power of peer-led advocacy—a cornerstone of the O3 Change-Makers initiative.
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