Helping young people live safe, healthy lives
Peer Education is a widely accepted strategy in HIV prevention programming and a powerful teaching method that contributes towards positive behaviour change in young people.
As our programmes have grown and evolved, we have adopted a youth-led approach that builds the skills and confidence in young people who are trained to be Peer Educators and who in turn become positive and inspirational role models that younger children want to emulate. Zambia is a nation of young people (46% under the age of 15 years) and where adult role models are lacking, Cecily’s Fund’s peer education programme has successfully led the way to behaviour change in young people at a grassroots level, as well as influencing and gaining government endorsement through advocacy.
Peer Education Programme
Our peer education programme started in 2001 and has reached over 50,000 young people. It is implemented through Cecily’s Fund local partner Copperbelt Health Education Project (CHEP) who has delivered Cecily’s Fund’s peer education programme for 20 years.
Every year, a recruitment drive for new peer educators takes place. These are students in their final year at school and who will have completed their education at the end of the academic year. Selection is based on interview where personal qualities, motivation and academic attainment are considered. Peer Educators are then trained in sexual reproductive health matters including HIV awareness and prevention, and other subjects such as human rights, citizenship, the impact of climate change, and important life skills that they share with their younger peers. This ensures they are equipped to inspire and motivate others through powerful sessions that engage and motivate young people to be responsible for their own health and well-being by being better informed.
Outcomes
Positive behaviour change in the lives of young people who participate in peer health education sessions.
A trained community of skilled young people in HIV awareness, reproductive health and psychosocial life skills.
Citizenship and the development of influential and inspirational youth leaders who contribute to Zambia’s wider development.
