VILO champions lung health in Tanzania with HLFL grant and first-ever World Lung Day celebration

The Vijana Life Organization (VILO) is a youth-led non-governmental organisation in Tanzania. Since its inception in 2020, the organisation has reached over 20,000 young people across different regions of the country. VILO’s mission is to empower youth to advance sustainable health, education, and development while strengthening their social impact in Tanzania.

In 2024, VILO received a Healthy Lungs for Life grant to implement its campaign My Lung, My Life: Empowering Healthier Breathing. The campaign focused on a multifaceted approach to lung health, addressing key factors such as air quality, smoking cessation, physical activity, and the impact of climate change. Through various activities—including public education campaigns, jogging sessions, and free health check-ups—VILO aimed to deepen awareness of how daily choices influence lung health and overall well-being.

The campaign took place on 25 September 2024 at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This event marked the first-ever celebration of World Lung Day in the country. The campaign reached 450 in-person beneficiaries and over 40,000 online participants.