The HIV/AIDs pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa has been a primary concern of many nongovernmental
organizations. With staggering prevalence rates, communities and grassroots
organizations are working towards reducing the spread of HIV through a variety of means.
This study focuses on the relationship between leadership and change in grassroots
organizations and how they can improve health conditions within their community. Taking an
experiential learning approach to health development, it is argued that leaders working in
grassroots organizations should employ reflexive methods of learning to harness solutions
based on community experiences. Within this framework, leaders would work to create
dynamic relationships with their followers. Such partnerships require that both the leader and
participant engage in the mutual sharing and reflection of experience to create relevant, placespecific,
health interventions. Through the use of a case study on the leaders of the Highlands
Hope Umbrella, located in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, it is demonstrated that
experiential education initiatives geared towards behavioral and lifestyle changes are an
important first step in bringing about sustainable improvements in the health of community
members.