In School Projects

By Colleen 'Akua' Robinson

The Canadians and the Ghanaian peer educators travel to a number of schools throughout the Ashanti Region ( Konongo, Morso and Odumasi)

It's hard getting up so early in the morning to be there for 7am, sometimes 8am. I don't know how these students do it!

Each workshop consist of over 70 students per class. Sometimes less sometimes more. The classes are split up into JSS1 and JSS2
The session normally begins with morning devotions ( a song and prayer... You should see these kids dancing and praising God... it's so refreshing to see) and then we begin with our workshop. They are so well disciplined. They refer to you as Madame so and so... and when you say goodmorning class, they all rise and say goodmorning all in unisen... they're like robots.

The students have been educated on HIV/AIDS. Topics covered were the Modes of transmission, Prevention methods, Risky Behaviours and Care and Support.

Each group has delivered the workshop in a participatory learning style to get all students involved. Activities and skits were incorporated into the workshop to provide a better understanding and comprehension of what was being taught. Because of the literacy level, at times the workshop would have to be delivered in or translated in Twi.

I was amazed to hear some of the questions being asked from students who are from the ages of 12-16yrs.
Example of questions were: 1. Why can't the immune system fight off the disease? 2. How long does it take for the HIV virus to develop into AIDS? 3. How can a pregnant mother protect her child from contracting the HIV virus? 4. Why is there a treatment for HIV but no cure for AIDS? and so on.

The outcome of the workshops left not only students running to us, the peer educators with more questions, but also the teachers.

I'm privileged to be working with these students.

Next task: I need to from a YLC group!