Love, sex, laughter and music blend in the Wahapahapa radio drama’s powerful story about the struggles, sorrows, hopes and dreams of young people in Tanzania. The weekly serial explores key social issues that fuel HIV among youth and uses music and emotion to integrate behavior change messages.

A radio program about music is nothing new. But a radio program that uses music to develop homegrown solutions to a dangerous and growing epidemic is not just new, but needed, in Tanzania.

Wahapahapa is a weekly radio serial drama that follows the lives of the “Homeboys,” a group of musicians who struggle with life, love and music in two fictional towns in the heart of Tanzania. Wahaphapa, meaning “the people from here,” in Swahili, follows the lives of the bandmates, their friends and family, and explores the impact of HIV/AIDS on the characters and their community. The drama deals with HIV stigma, cross-generational sex, HIV testing, treatment and care. But music is the common thread throughout the series, providing the rhythm for all that happens in the drama. The Wahapahapa Band provides original music for the drama, and their songs call for social transformation and justice, using a unique blend of homegrown music inspired by Swahili tradition and modern day music from around the world.

The series also integrates popular Tanzanian music stars into each episode, using a fictional deejay to interview and showcase current musical stars. The strategy has made the weekly drama serial extremely popular and relevant to the lives of young people.

Wahapahapa is part of the Strategic Radio Communication for Development (STRADCOM) project funded by USAID and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Led by CCP, in partnership with Media for Development International (MFDI) and the Government of Tanzania, STRADCOM uses innovative radio programming to address HIV/AIDS while developing collaborative relationships with government agencies and civil society in Tanzania.

With emotion, humor and music, Wahapahapa reflects the challenges that effect real Tanzanian youth. The drama’s characters model positive behavior change to help youth navigate these challenges and equip them to make safe, responsible and respectful decisions about their lives and sexual health.