U-Report
A free SMS platform for young people
What is U-Report about?
U-Report Tanzania is a multi-channel platform available by SMS (also available on social media channels such as Facebook and twitter) used to enable young people to voice their opinion on issues they care about, connect with each other, connect with their leaders and get real-time information/feedback on new initiatives and campaigns.
How does it work?
You can register by texting and sending the key word “SAJILI” to the short code 15070. It is completely free to join! Subscribers, who are referred to as ‘U-Reporters’ then receive weekly poll questions soliciting their opinions on a broad range of issues such as healthcare, education, protection, WASH, menstrual hygiene and other available services in their communities.
Why is it important?
The responses collected are analyzed and displayed on a public dashboard, disaggregated by gender, age and mapped according to region. These results are shared with a broad range of stakeholders, therefore building a cohesive citizen-led dialogue on social development and human/child rights that is communicated to policymakers and publicized in the media to influence social change.
Also, Tanzania has one of the fastest growing adolescent and youth populations. It is therefore vital to take the voices of young people seriously.
What has U-report achieved since it was launched in 2017?
Since it was launched in Mainland in 2017, 173,000 subscribers have joined. U-Report was also launched in Zanzibar, in November 2018 and is growing daily with new U-Reporters sharing their voices. The platform is governed by two steering committees, one for Mainland and the second in Zanzibar. Both committees are chaired by the Ministry of Youth.
How does one become a U-Reporter?
It’s easy! Go to the message menu on your mobile phone. Type the word ‘SAJILI’ or ‘JOIN’ and send to 15070. ALL SMSs are free. During the registration process, new U-Reporters are asked questions about themselves and this includes: age, gender, region and district. This information helps partners target information better to U-Reporters. For example, with gender information available, it’s much easier to target menstrual hygiene management information specifically to girls on the female U-Reporters on the platform.
Remember! It's completely FREE of SMS cost (Airtel, Halotel, Tigo, Vodacom, Zantel). So join us!
