Copper Rose Zambia in partnership with Action aid Zambia is implementing the Health Action for Adolescents and Youths in Zambia (HAAYZ-2) project, a build up from the HAAYZ 1 project implemented in 2021/2022. The main goal of the project is to improve adolescents and young people’s access to sexual reproductive health rights in Petauke and Lusaka districts through increasing awareness as well as participation of adolescents and young people at district and facility level. To kick start the whole journey, CRZ organized a two days peer educator refresher training which started on the 7th of July to 8th of July in Petauke. This was done not only to enhance their knowledge but also to address any knowledge gaps in readiness for the resuming of the project.
In Lusaka district, we conducted a three day smart advocacy training for peer educators which aimed at equipping the peer educators with knowledge and skills on advocacy in their work on SRHR . A total of 10 peer educators were trained.
The peer educators will be working on the HAAYZ-2 project to ensure that adolescents and young people are aware of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, access to Family Planning and prevention of HIV and AIDS. The peer educators will also ensure that young people get to know the dangers of abusing substances such as Alcohol and Drug abuse. The peers will also continue to work on the smart advocacy activities.
“The training was so helpful, I learnt new things. I learnt about the adolescent health policy which I wasn’t aware of. The SMART goals and objectives which can be used in advocacy,” Paul Banda CRZ Peer Educator.
So far we have conducted a series of school outreach sessions in Lusaka and Petauke on different SRHR topics. One such session was aimed at educating young people on the facts about HIV/AIDS. We went at length to explain the different ways it is transmitted, how it can be treated and the preventive measures that one can practice so as not to contract the virus. It was important for us to note that above all preventive measures abstinence is the best. It was interesting to learn that more people are interested in learning about HIV and as an organization we’re ready to clear the misconceptions about the virus.
“I am so happy to be a part of this project, the most exciting part is interacting with young people and sharing knowledge on different social issues that affect their lives daily. I look forward to the success of this project” Rizicky Fatacky- HAAY-2 Project Coordinator.
Through the HAAYZ-2 community and school outreach sessions we have reached out to over 1000 young people in Lusaka and Petauke districts.
