Project Launch: 10-26-15

This project aims to educate youth on the importance of family planning and HIV prevention methods. Twenty-two teens from eleven rural communities where HIV and teen pregnancy are relevant and important issues will become trained as peer health educators, participating in six workshops focused on domestic violence, sexual health, birth control, and HIV prevention. Following each workshop, the trained peer educators will be responsible for returning to their communities and replicating the workshops to educate and motivate their peers to make healthy decisions.

Project Update

Partnering with local NGOs and health center staff, 16 youth leaders participated in six sessions focused on sexual health, birth control, domestic violence, and HIV prevention and treatment. Through each workshop, the youth engaged with health professionals and participated in hands on activities to create an open discussion about these sensitive but important issues. To date, the youth have replicated the workshops in their own communities, reaching 100 youth in 8 communities. Their peers have been very responsive to the workshops and are motivated to start their own youth groups.

Testimonials

"The youth here don't have very many opportunities because of the economic situation. Many are motivated but lack the resources to study, to travel, or to work. I think that this project has been a way to encourage the youth here to take ownership, to be leaders, to educate themselves." - Jacqueline, Project Leader

"What I like the most is that I am able to share with my community all that I am learning. It is important to know how to take care and value our bodies." - Hilder, Project Participant

"I now feel capable and ready to both stand up for myself and also to teach my peers." - Maria Elana, 15, Project Participant