Last month, I spent a week working with Hazel from Phedisang (a local organization that runs drop-in centers in several villages all along the main tar road) helping to plan, and then observe, some teen pregnancy prevention workshops. It was a great experience to work with her and be around to see positive outcomes.
Each workshop was about 2 hours long and we tried to divide the time up in such a way that we would make sure to emphasize certain topics. The outline and what we covered went a little something like this:
*What do you know about pregnancy? (the answers ranged from knowing that getting pregnant comes from having sex to a woman having shiny palms and a glowing body when she's expecting)
*An exercise in labeling the parts of the male and female reproductive systems
*Information on HIV/AIDS, STI's, and locations in the local area where you can get tested, be treated, and receive options for protecting yourself.
*The Bridge Activity. Given magazines, paper, pencils and pens, the girls thought about their futures and were asked to draw a "bridge". What are some goals you have for yourself? What must you do now or in the near future to help yourself to achieve those goals? (Many talked of getting a good education and wanting to be nurses, doctors, teachers, social workers, and one mentioned a passion for becoming a pilot.)
Close to 100 girls attended the workshops.
No comments:
Post a Comment