Peer education is an
effective strategy in global HIV/AIDS prevention. There is an
identification by age, gender, culture, profession and
socio-demographics. PEP/LA has demonstrated remarkable success
with trained multi-cultural youth (13-24 years) peer educators
who share life-saving messages with their peers in high schoo.jpg) ls,
probation centers, residential facilities and diverse youth
organizations.
Teens listen to teens; there is a common denominator of
academic
responsibilities, emotional maturity and adolescent concerns.
The PEP/LA peer educators lead informal discussions on
sexuality, decision-making and negotiation skills. They
provide realistic techniques for resisting peer pressure to
engage in the risk-taking behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS.
Since
1986, PEP/LA has been the model for HIV/AIDS prevention
through peer education in 26 countries. PEP/International
trains groups (N=40/group) of youth and also conducts
workshops for "Tr ainers" from multi-disciplinary
backgrounds and experiences. After the two weeks of training
in each country (we have a "Suggested Two Week
Schedule" and "Checklist" to help with the
preparations), the peer education programs (PEPs) become
the responsibility and pride of local community
members. It is adapted to their culture, their traditions
and their precious values. The participants are empowered
with accurate information about transmission, prevention,
communication skills as well as the provision of care for
people living with HIV/AIDS.
Our
website serves as an introduction to PEP/LA and
PEP/International. Our photographs share the
enthusiasm, commitment and passion of genuine people who
will not only help to reduce to the transmission of HIV but
they will also help stop the discrimination and isolation of
our friends living with HIV/AIDS.
We
are encouraged with our progress, yet still have so much to
do.... |
