| Population / Family Life Education & Counselling Programme for Youth This programme is organised in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and consists of the following 4 sections :- A. Life Skills Education B. Peer Education C. Peer Counselling D. Youth Forum on HIV/AIDS, Drugs & Sexuality
A. Life Skills Education Young people of today have more opportunities than those of yesterday in a number of fields. However, they are faced with a greater number of challenges. Issues like suicide, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, violence, divorce, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, obesity and many others are affecting more and more young people. The family, the school and the community for many reasons are not providing adequate support to young people in their growing up. The Life Skills education is a non-formal type of education, which equips young people with information and skills to help them to face the challenge of daily living. It consists of the following nine modules : each of about 2 hrs duration.
 | Identity | Knowing who I am and liking myself | | | Values | What is important to me and to others? | | | Stereotypes | Is my life already planned? | | | Achievements | What do I want to accomplish? | | | Choices | How do I weigh up and deal with my options? | | | Parenthood | Am I ready? | | | Sexuality | How does it affect my relationships and responsibilities? | | | Risks | Protecting myself from STD’s HIV, AIDS | | | Communication | How can I express my feelings and emotions to others? |
Life is a journey ; an expedition – PLAN IT. Life is a challenge – Equip Yourself You have only one life – make the best of it. B. Peer Education Course - Pamphlet (recto)
- Pamphlet (verso) (i) What is Peer Education ? Peer Education can simply be described as young people helping young people. We know that there are certain issues that young people feel more at ease to discuss with other young people instead of adults. (ii) Who is a Peer Educator ? A Peer Educator is a young people who has attended special training sessions where information has been given on a number of topics like adolescence, teenage pregnancy, healthy life choices. (iii) Who can become a Peer Educator ? Any young person who has the following qualities : | | A friendly personality | | | Good relations with peers | | | Leadership and Communication Skills | (iv) Training Programme (10 sessions of 3 hrs each) | | What is peer educaton? Techniques | | | Self-esteem | | | Values | | | Gender Issues / Stereotypes | | | Setting goals | | | Decision Making | | | Sexuality | | | Parenthood | | | HIV/AIDS & Substance Abuse Prevention | | | Communication Skills | | | Designing Messages on the health of the youth | | | Presentation Skills | | | Project presentation | (v) Certificate of participation Awarded to all those who have completed the course. C. Peer Counselling - Pamphlet (recto)
- Pamphlet (verso) (i) Peer Counselling is based on the well documented fact that young people most often seek out other young people for help when they experience frustration, concern, worry or a problem. (ii) Who is a Peer Counsellor ? A Peer Counsellor is someone who cares about others and who talks to them about their thoughts and feelings. Rather than being an “Advice-giver” or a “Problem Solver”, S/he is a sensitize listener who uses communication skills to facilitate self-exploration, self-understanding and decision making. (iii) Who can become a peer counsellor ? Any young person who in the normal course of activities is caring and providing some kind of help to other young people. (iv) Limits of the Peer Counsellor S/He is not a therapist nor a professional counsellor. When complicated cases arise, these have to be referred to a professional. Training Programme (10 sessions of 3 hrs each)
| | Understanding youth issues/problems | | | What is Counselling ? Its purpose | | | Counselling Skills | | | Initial Interview | | | Listening Skills | | | Attending Skills/Encouragers | | | Reflection of facts/feelings | | | Art of asking questions | | | Summarisation | | | Difficult moments in Counselling | | | Ending the interview/referred | | | Who can be a peer counsellor? | | | Placement of Participants | D. Youth Forum on HOV/AIDS, Drugs and Sexuality | | Firstly the HIV/AIDS issue. It is a world threat. Since the first case reported in 1987, the number continues to increase year after year at an alarming rate. Today more than 3000 cases are reported and it is high time to reverse the trend. What worry us is that more and more young people are infected and affected. | | | Secondly, the drug issue. It is another problem that affects the health of young people. Here, also, we must continue to sensitise the youth so that they do not fall easy prey to this social evil. | | | Thirdly, the issue of sexuality. Studies have shown that the adolescents are becoming sexually active at an early age. Are they prepared ? | | | In brief, the number of teenage pregnancies, abortion, sexual abuse, drug addicts, HIV/AIDS, Suicide and Suicidal tendencies among youth call for our attention. | | | This Youth Forum is an opportunity to sensitise young people, but mostly to answer their questions and listen to their concers. |
For more information on the different programmes of the Pop/FLE & Counselling Programme for Youth, please contact the Ministry at 3rd Floor, Emmanuel Anquetil, Port-Louis
Tel : 201 2438
Fax : 201 1250
Website :http://youthsport.gov.mu | 
