2016 Peer Educators passed out!

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Last Thursday night marked the official end of the 3rd annual Peer Educators’ Academy intensive training which was conducted at Victoria University in the heart of Kampala.

The closing ceremony, was held at Seven Trees Restaurant in Kololo, Kampala and was graced by Dr. Maggie Kigozi as the chief guest together with parents and participants both in the previous and current class.

“Whatever you are doing involve your children. Teach them how to work. Girls, we don’t depend on rich men; you don’t need to depend on old rich men for anything, there are young men out there and learn how to work.” Ms Kigozi advised the participants at the ceremony.

The participants who were graduating (2016 class), had completed a one month training in key topic areas, including the importance of peer education; changing high-risk behaviors; listening, responding, referral and intervention skills; inclusivity; programming and presentation skills; self-care; and group development. The 2015 class on the other hand, has become good sexual and reproductive health and rights advocates through community and school outreaches, Focused Group and Peer learning sessions, online platforms like social media and blogs. You can follow some of the conversions using the hashtag #PEA2016.

This year’s academy had a wide range of influential and experienced facilitators- both young and old. These included Dr. Maggie Kigozi, a member of Uganda’s Elders Forum; Angelo Izama, a renowned journalist and social media expert; Winnie Nansumba, an HIV positivity activist; Rev. Sam Ruteikara, the acting health secretary for Church of Uganda; Evelyn Keko, a Hip hop Musician and drug abuse champion and Richard Musinguzi, the gentleman  behind the celebrated animated character Katoto, among others.

After the graduation, the Peer Educators will be distributed in 30 different schools, attached to different organizations and mentored for the next seven months. Under this approach, behavior change will start with the peer educator. The changed peer educator will then influence a positive change among fellow youth in schools, mainly from the SRHR clubs. These school SRHR club members will then adopt the promoted behavior. After realizing the benefits of the new behavior or practice, then they target their peers through school and community outreaches who in turn choose to change behavior.

At the same night of the closing ceremony, twelve outstanding peer educators together with cultural icons were given different awards in appreciation of their commitment and hard work during their time of service. The winners and the respective categories were;

Last Thursday night marked the official end of the 3rd annual Peer Educators’ Academy intensive training which was conducted at Victoria University in the heart of Kampala.

The closing ceremony, was held at Seven Trees Restaurant in Kololo, Kampala and was graced by Dr. Maggie Kigozi as the chief guest together with parents and participants both in the previous and current class.

“Whatever you are doing involve your children. Teach them how to work. Girls, we don’t depend on rich men; you don’t need to depend on old rich men for anything, there are young men out there and learn how to work.” Ms Kigozi advised the participants at the ceremony.

The participants who were graduating (2016 class), had completed a one month training in key topic areas, including the importance of peer education; changing high-risk behaviors; listening, responding, referral and intervention skills; inclusivity; programming and presentation skills; self-care; and group development. The 2015 class on the other hand, has become good sexual and reproductive health and rights advocates through community and school outreaches, Focused Group and Peer learning sessions, online platforms like social media and blogs. You can follow some of the conversions using the hashtag #PEA2016.

This year’s academy had a wide range of influential and experienced facilitators- both young and old. These included Dr. Maggie Kigozi, a member of Uganda’s Elders Forum; Angelo Izama, a renowned journalist and social media expert; Winnie Nansumba, an HIV positivity activist; Rev. Sam Ruteikara, the acting health secretary for Church of Uganda; Evelyn Keko, a Hip hop Musician and drug abuse champion and Richard Musinguzi, the gentleman  behind the celebrated animated character Katoto, among others.

After the graduation, the Peer Educators will be distributed in 30 different schools, attached to different organizations and mentored for the next seven months. Under this approach, behavior change will start with the peer educator. The changed peer educator will then influence a positive change among fellow youth in schools, mainly from the SRHR clubs. These school SRHR club members will then adopt the promoted behavior. After realizing the benefits of the new behavior or practice, then they target their peers through school and community outreaches who in turn choose to change behavior.

At the same night of the closing ceremony, twelve outstanding peer educators together with cultural icons were given different awards in appreciation of their commitment and hard work during their time of service. The winners and the respective categories were;

• Best use of social media -Edgar Michael Ntensibe,
• Leadership Award – Alex Mpata,
• Best SRHR advocate -Mark Muganga,
• Rising star – Monica Achen,
• Achievement award -Winnie Nansumba,
• Innovation award – Emmanuel Kateregga,
• Best overall Peer educator -Clare Akinyi Muga,
• Best overall Peer educator -Moses Lukwago,
• Peer Educator’s’ choice award male – Reagan Barigye
• and female -Hope Kirabo,
• Best cultural icons -Maurice Muhassa (Maurice Hassa) and Raymond Mugerwa (Ray Signature).