Sion Paul Olesina is a sociologist and public health professional with over 11 years of experience in community health engagement, HIV case management, adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), and gender-based violence prevention. she has a proven track record in coordinating large-scale health programs, mentoring community health workers, and integrating facility and community-level interventions to strengthen service delivery.
Alongside her programmatic expertise, Sion has contributed to climate-related research as a research assistant with ACM and CLARS, where she gained experience in data collection, analysis, and knowledge dissemination. her research work complements her public health practice, reinforcing evidence-based approaches to resilience, adaptation, and community health in the face of climate challenges.
Sion has served in senior technical roles with USAID-funded projects, including Afya Yangu and Boresha Afya, where she successfully led community engagement, ASRH and gender interventions across multiple districts, improved HIV service integration, and enhanced monitoring and reporting systems. her expertise includes stakeholder coordination, program planning, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building for health staff and community-based organizations.
Throughout her career, Sion has worked closely with donors and partners such as USAID, CDC, ICAP, EGPAF, AGO and local government structures, contributing to improved treatment retention, psychosocial support systems, and youth-friendly health services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Dar es Salaam and has completed specialized training in gender-sensitive care, GBV prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, and adolescent health.
Sion’s diverse expertise will bring significant value to The Kesho Trust. Her background in community health engagement, gender-sensitive programming, and climate-related research positions her to strengthen the organization’s integrated approach to conservation and community resilience. By combining evidence-based public health strategies with participatory research and stakeholder coordination, she will enhance the Trust’s capacity to design inclusive programs, foster local ownership, and build sustainable solutions that address both environmental and social challenges.