Hi all!

In this, my 4th post, I want to introduce you to a participant of the project, and to share with you his experience like a member of the Youth for Health Network (YHN) in the organization and implementation of the event that we did.

He is Lucas, he has 23 years old and he studies Fashion Design in the University. He is a member of the YHN since 2006. He lives in a city in the south of the Metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, and in his neighborhood he plans and participates on activities about SRHR and other issues that worry his community.

He decided to participate in this project because it contributes to strengthen the work of the groups of the YHN. Also because he wanted to share good practices and the materials produced in the year with the families, friends and guests. Lucas says: “to be involve in the project empower me to work better in alliance with my partners, and I think that it’s a good experience for my life in general”

He thinks this project is important to his community because, in one hand they can know about the work did by the YHN in the year; and in the other hand, the activities have the objective to generate a good impact in the communities, improving the access to information and services on SRH.

Finally, Lucas thinks that “to share experiences between the groups and the youth let to me and my partners to have new visions about youth, adolescents, participation and social commitment issues.”

Thank you for reed!

Empoderamiento juvenil en SDSR - Post Nº 4
Translated into Spanish by: Betiana Cáceres
Hola a todxs!

En este, mi cuarto post, quiero presentarles a uno de los participantes del proyecto, y compartir con ustedes su experiencia como miembro de la Red de Jóvenes por la Salud (RJS) en la organización e implementación del festival que hicimos.

Él es Lucas, tiene 23 años y estudia Diseño de Indumentaria en la Universidad. Es parte de la RJS desde 2006. Vive en una ciudad al sur del área metropolitana de Buenos Aires, y en su barrio organiza y participa en actividades sobre SDSR y otros temas que le interesan a su comunidad.

Decidió participar en este proyecto porque contribuiría a fortalecer el trabajo de los grupos de la RJS. También porque quería compartir buenas prácticas y los materiales producidos en el año con las familias, amigxs e invitadxs. Lucas dice: “ser parte del proyecto me empoderó para trabajar mejor en equipo con mis compañeras y compañeros, pienso que es una buena experiencia para mi vida en general”.

Piensa que el proyecto es importante para su comunidad porque, por un lado pueden conocer el trabajo hecho por la RJS en el año; y por el otro lado, las actividades tienen el objetivo de impactar positivamente en sus comunidades, mejorando el acceso a la información y los servicios en SSR.

Finalmente, Lucas piensa que “compartir experiencias entre los grupos y las y los jóvenes le permite a él y a sus compañeras/os incluir nuevas visiones sobre jóvenes, adolescentes, participación y compromiso social.”

Gracias por leer!

Please read the latest update from Meaza Woubishet on his project in Ethiopia:

Dear all,
How are you doing? I hope all are fine.
Today I want to share my experience during the implementation of the project. Our aim was 5 days training on IGA (income generating activities) training for 25 youth living with HIV/AIDS and 3 days resources mobilization for 20 youth who are selected from youth association and anti-AIDS clubs. During this time our challenge was financial. To give the training we need to cover
– hall rent
- stationeries
- refreshment
- resource person fee
- Per-dim for the participant.

But the budget was not enough to cover all the above expenses. Hawassa town is divided in to 8 sub-cities, and each sub-cities have different kebeles. I am not sure whether you know the meaning of kebele or not. Kebele is local governmental organization their activities are to help the residence of that kebele people. Our association has more than 18-25 professional volunteers in each kebeles. So, we ask the resource person from one kebele and we get Mr. Alemayehu Wenedmu. Mr. Alemayehu has a very high qualification and experienced and very kind young man. He has interests to help different peoples. He also has a private license in a consultancy of all developmental aspects. So he gives the 8 days training for the participant voluntarily and he has a best training approach for the participant. Even if the participant were new this kind of training they told us they spent a very good time with him and they like the way he handle them. He also shows to them in break time different energizer movie, jokes, and sharing experiencing one to another. In case of this, they were very enjoyed by the training and the trainer. So our experience is using a volunteer is very useful for both sides. The organization and the beneficiaries. If a person came voluntarily, he knows why he came and he is committed to do the job. Otherwise if he came with payment, maybe he don’t satisfied with his fee , may be he has no feeling for the participant, may be he has no patience for the participant and other reason . But if you have volunteer person he know why he came and what he must do. I really benefited from all my volunteers and wish or suggest to have volunteers especially professional.
Well my friend I hope we will meet soon. Bye for now.
Meaza

Hi,
Please see the blog post below from Mehwish Maria:


Towards achieving Goal…….

In this month we have organized Cricket match, football match, youth Festival and meetings with peer educators and one meeting with Referral network members.

The sports activities were organized to provide an opportunity to youth which serve both purposes i.e. awareness raising and entertainment. For the Cricket and Foot ball matches youth groups have formed teams of their peers and practiced for many days for playing in the matches. Sports kits were provided to the teams for playing in the matches. Both of the selected areas do not have Play grounds therefore the matches were organized in open spaces available near to both the areas. A large number of community members, youth, children etc were present to see both the matches.

The foot Ball match was organized on 30th Nov, 2009 and Cricket match was organized on the 1st Dec, 2009. Both the matches were organized during Eid Holy Days so that everyone can participate and enjoy. The International AIDS Day was also celebrated on the same day. During the match group leaders of youth groups shared prevention messages with the audience and contacts and services provided by referral organization were also shared. In the end of the matches trophies and prize were distributed among winners.

A youth festival was organized on 19-20 Nov, 2009. In this festival 300 student, teacher, NGO members participated from 30 different schools, colleges and NGOs. In the two day event following activities were conducted, painting competition, drawing exhibition, youth discussion forum, debate competition, youth workshop, HIV/ AIDS quiz, and stage dramas were conducted. All these activities were conducted by youth with the help of their teachers and NGOs.
A meeting of the network was organized on 17th Nov, 2009 to get their support and explain their role.

Two meetings were conducted on 18th November and 6th December 2009 with peer educators. In the meetings discussion were held with peer educators and with some of their peers on questions that they found difficult to answer. In each meeting half an hour latest information sharing session was held to enhance the skill of Peer Educators