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Talking about sex, teen to teen

Summer 2016 Newsletter

A significant proportion of young people in the Copperbelt Province do not have a clear understanding of how HIV/Aids is transmitted: and they have sexual intercourse before they reach 18 and engage in high-risk sex. Although there is some basic information available locally on HIV/Aids it is not designed for younger people and many do not recognise the potential consequences of ignoring this threat, nor how they could adapt their behaviour to improve their life chances. Kaloko’s Peer Education Project is tailored to inform and influence the new generation’s attitudes to the risks of HIV/Aids. Peer education works on the principle that people make changes not only based on what they know, but on the opinions and actions of their close, trusted peers. Peer educators can communicate and understand in a way that the best-intentioned adults cannot, and can serve as role models for change. They are typically the same age or slightly older than the group with which they are working. Peer educators may work alongside the teacher, run educational activities on their own, or take the lead in organising and implementing school-based activities. Peer educators can help raise awareness, provide accurate information, and help their classmates develop skills to change behaviour through: leading informal discussions; video and drama presentations; one-on-one conversations with fellow students; handing out condoms, leaflets and brochures; and offering counselling, support and referral to services. With Kaloko’s help, students between the ages of 12 and 21 are receiving peer-led training courses providing information and the life skills they need to make positive choices about their future.Add paragraph text here.