The Peer Mentorship Workshops aimed to equip youth with the skills needed to become effective health mentors in their schools and communities. The objective was to create a sustainable model for peer-to-peer health education that empowers youth to lead discussions on crucial topics such as sexual and reproductive health (SRH), mental health, and substance abuse prevention.

Workshop Details

Workshops were conducted in 9 schools, 3 community peer groups, and 1 women’s group, reaching a total of 180 participants. These included 120 students, 40 youth from community groups, and 20 women. The workshops covered mentoring principles, effective communication strategies, and topic-specific health education.

  • Schools: Students were selected based on leadership potential, with an emphasis on diversity in gender, age, and background.
  • Community Peer Groups: Participants were chosen for their active involvement in community activities.
  • Women’s Group: Focused on women leaders in the community, particularly in maternal health.

Outcomes

  • Leadership Development: 85% of participants demonstrated improved leadership and communication skills, with many taking on active roles in their communities.
  • Health Awareness: There was a noticeable increase in SRH knowledge, with post-workshop evaluations showing a 30% improvement in understanding key topics.
  • Mentorship Networks: 7 out of 9 schools established ongoing peer mentorship programs, and 2 community groups initiated health dialogues led by trained mentors.

Challenges and Solutions

  • Challenge: Cultural sensitivities around discussing SRH topics, particularly in the community groups.
  • Solution: Workshops were adapted to include cultural context and community leaders were involved to support sensitive discussions.
  • Challenge: Time constraints within school schedules.
  • Solution: Follow-up sessions were conducted online, and schools were encouraged to integrate mentorship activities into existing extracurricular programs.

Recommendations

  • For Schools: Integrate mentorship training into the curriculum and establish mentorship clubs as a formal part of school activities.
  • For Community Groups: Expand the reach of these workshops by involving more local leaders and securing additional funding for resources.
  • For Women’s Group: Focus on developing peer-to-peer networks that can continue to support women in their health journeys post-workshop.
Peer Mentorship Workshops