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Empowering Zimbabwe peer educators
Posted by Khanyi Khuzwayo on 08 July 2024, 16:20 SAST
FutureLife-Now! Country manager, Moses Machipisa, making a presentation at the Peer Education training
The use of “peer educators” to implement FutureLife-Now! is an important feature of the programme in Zimbabwe, Phase 2 of which is now full steam ahead. To ensure that they are fully equipped to maximize programme impact, in May this year the country team organized two dynamic training sessions for nearly 100 educators from 37 schools— the first at the Nashville High School in the Southern Region, and the second at the Ambassador Hotel in the Northern Region.
A session at the Southern Region training at Nashville High
Going beyond typical training, the sessions aimed to empower the educators and to foster connection between them. Discussions included a diverse range of topics, from HIV&AIDS prevention, healthy relationships, and the prevention of substance abuse by adolescents, to programme delivery. A shared sense of purpose among the participants, and a desire to make a lasting difference in their communities, energized the collaborative exchange of ideas and best practices. The training also introduced educators to a groundbreaking tool—the Kinaki Monitoring and Evaluation system— that equips them to track progress and effectiveness, towards greater impact.
The sessions differed slightly in atmosphere, with the Nashville group buzzing with youthful energy, while the Ambassador group exuded a sense of seasoned mentorship. But a unified message resonated in both: peer educators are changemakers. Armed with newfound knowledge, a supportive network and the Kinaki system, these educators are prepared to ignite positive transformations within their schools.
The sessions further enriched the learning experience through a presentation on the crucial role of the Children Action Committees, which serve as the foundation for student leadership and ownership within schools. Educators participated actively in discussions on strengthening these committees and empowering student voices, as well as how these committees can support operationalization of the SADC Child and Youth Agency Framework.
Peer educators at the Northern Region training
Real-life examples were used to showcase the transformative power of the Ubuntu Leaders Youth Programme, with the educators enthusiastically sharing its positive impact on areas such as communication skills and community spirit. Ministry of Education officials present echoed support for the programme, highlighting its alignment to the aims of the recently launched Heritage-based Curriculum.
The training also addressed practical challenges educators might face, and educators were given the opportunity to explore best practices for building robust school–to–health facility referral systems, as well as to discuss strategies to raise climate change awareness and encourage student-led environmental projects.
The presence of high-level representatives from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, including Headman Mpofu (FutureLifeNow! national focal point person), Emmanuel Mpofu (Director Education Services, Midlands) and Attalia Mbewe (Deputy Director Monitoring and Evaluation), underscored the Ministry’s commitment to supporting youth leadership and peer education initiatives through FutureLife-Now!. These sessions marked the expansion of a movement, a collaborative effort fuelled by passionate educators and engaged learners. As the educators return to their schools, they carry the torch of knowledge, ready to empower their peers and create a brighter future for their communities. This collaborative movement has the potential to transform individual schools and leave a lasting positive impact on Zimbabwe’s youth.
