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Thumbs Up for CYP/SPW Partnership

26 July 2007

The Commonwealth Youth Programme Regional Centre for Africa (CYPRCA) through the Youth Enterprise and Sustainable Livelihood (YESL) programme has continued coordinating and supporting the Young Ambassadors of Positive Living (YAPL). In collaboration with Student Partnership Worldwide (SPW) Zambia, YAPL members, after undergoing training, have been posted in various schools in the central province of Zambia where SPW is running HIV and AIDS Programmes.

 

CYP recently went on a placement visit in Serenje, Mkushi and Kapiri Districts all in the Central province of Zambia to monitor the delivery of the programme.This was the first monitoring and evaluation exercise to be conducted in the placement areas since the inception of the programme.

 

Serenje Boma Basic School in Serenje District was the first placement school to be visited. Acting head teacher, Mrs. Kaunda reported that the programme was running well and was of a great benefit to the school. She expressed gratitude for the positive behaviour change among the pupils which was attributed to the volunteer programme. One of the YAPL members, Sophia Manyando, shared lessons on peer pressure to a class of grade 9 pupils who enjoyed the session all the way. The pupils from ages 11 to 15 years were excited about the programme whose highlights were; HIV/AIDS; Peer pressure; Dangers of Teenager Pregnancy; Puberty; Abstinence (safest method of contraception) and STDs/STIs.

 

"I have leant that the HIV virus which causes AIDS has no cure. You know when I grow up I want to become a doctor so if I engage my self in sexual activities and get infected with HIV/AIDS, I wont become a doctor" says fourteen year old pupil Cynthia Mboyonga. "As a teenager, I feel the YAPL/Volunteer programme has been very essential for the youth because most young people lack knowledge about the HIV/AIDS pandemic and it's important for them to have such knowledge so that they can be able to make positive decisions especially regarding issues of sex."

 

"The programme is very essential and has a great impact on all the 760 pupils. Both the pupils and teachers are more knowledgeable now on issues to do with HIV/AIDS, STIs, preventive measures and the use of ARVs", says Ms. Sophia Manyando. Through the programme, Sophia has been able to hold one teacher's workshop and a school event which involved the pupils and the community at large. She added, "I have managed to train 30 pupils as peer educators and also formed a community support group at the clinic for young people who are living positively. Fifteen (15) youths are involved."

 

She intends to hold another sensitization workshop, an open VCT day and set up an information desk at the local clinic for the youth to get information before the term is over.

 

Second to be visited was Mkushi High School in the hilly area of Mkushi. Deputy Head Teacher Mr. Hawakumba said the school was very happy with the programme and that the pupils and teachers have broadened their knowledge on the HIV/AIDS pandemic. He also noted that the pupils' self esteem and confidence have been improved by the pupils' involvement with the YAPL/Volunteer programme.

 

At the time of the visit, YAPLs/volunteers and some of the pupils were busy preparing for a community event whose main objective was HIV and AIDS sensitisation. Two YAPLs, Steve & Cleophas confirmed that the response had been very good especially from the pupils. "Interaction with the pupils has been great and assisting them with their academic work besides the usual peer education has made work exciting," Cleophas.

 

Dina Musonda a grade 12 pupil who has been a peer educator for two years now attributes her confidence and knowledge of issues on HIV/AIDS, preventive measures and peer pressure to the YAPL programme. She is able to share the information with her fellow pupils.

 

The third placement school visited was Lukanda Upper Basic School in kapiri-Mposhi. "The YAPL volunteers have brought understanding especially with the issues of HIV/AIDS and reproductive health." says Head Teacher Mr. Mulia. He expressed his gratitude to the CYP/SPW programme which according to him has not only motivated his pupils but his teachers too. Behaviour change is also noticeable as the cases of teenage pregnancy and drug abuse have reduced. The programme is also helping in implementing subjects life biology and other social sciences which teachers were not comfortable teaching especially on topics about reproductive health.

Mr. Mulia noted that the teachers are really interested in the programme and there are four teachers involved which is a good sign of sustainability of the programme in the school even after the volunteers leave.

 

Miriam Kangwa, a YAPL member said that the programme was going on well and that the pupils, teachers and the community members responded very well. She owed the good work to the support of CYP/SPW and the head teacher who is very supportive in the volunteers' activities. Precious who is also a YAPL member said that they have covered topics like positive living, HIV/AIDS and STIs.

 

The YAPL/Volunteers' programme run by CYP in collaboration with SPW is scoring successes and has had a big impact in the placement schools, extension schools as well as surrounding communities. Through the various activities that the YAPLs do, it was quite evident that the pupils are learning alot. The pupils benefit from the wealth of knowledge and are able to make informed decisions.

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