Mkombozi intends to use part of the Impact Award to advance its 50% Campaign to spark national awareness on the need for legal reform, juvenile justice and child rights in Tanzania. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage a positive shift in attitudes toward children in general and street children in particular. The STARS Impact Award will contribute to strengthening this powerful educational advocacy tool.

The media is a critical ally in getting issues out in the open and combating prejudice. The Award will go towards broadcasting a groundbreaking series of radio programmes as part of the 50% Campaign, which will feature young people interviewing influential public figures about the hardships that children face and will challenge the government to better prioritise their needs. The children will not only chair the discussions but will actually produce the episodes, acquiring important skills and confidence in the process.

The positive change which Mkombozi hopes to generate using the Impact Award encompasses legal reform to uphold the best interests of Tanzania’s children, increased sensitivity on the part of the public, the police, magistrates and others about the appropriate treatment of street youth, and more positive language used about street children in media and government communications.