Two young Rwandans hope to change the status quo of Rwanda’s health and education sectors which is still way below the required standards. To do this they have come up with a new web and mobile app that gives teenagers access to information related to reproductive health.
The app, Tantine, is a platform that offers adolescents, young adults and parent’s full access to reliable, professional information on reproductive health via their Android mobile phones, tablets and computers.
The app is created by 23-year-old Muzungu Hirwa Sylvania and 21-year-old Uhirwa Sylvie, both of whom are medical students at the University of Rwanda.
They are currently working with a team of professional medical doctors and psychologists to deliver reproductive health education, mentorship and counseling services to Rwandan teenagers.
They are also working with volunteers to distribute Tantine tablets to people living in refugee camps in Rwanda.
“We made the app with an aim of bringing those tablets and establishing a center where they [young people] can come and access the internet,” Sylvie told The Morning Call in a recent interview.
Experts in childhood development say teenage pregnancies in rural Rwanda remain a serious problem despite the numerous interventions by the government and non-governmental organizations.
The lack of awareness is largely the reason behind teenage pregnancies. But with Tantines simple and user friendly interface they can help and educate many with regards to the same.
