We start with assemblies (whole school and same grade assemblies). This is followed by class to class lessons (all grades, all genders), each week within life orientation courses. Lessons are interactive and customised according to the needs, religion and language of the school. They consist of games, films, discussions, learning self-defence moves without using weapons. Training is free in no-fee and low-fee schools.
Encouraged by the Department of Education and communities, the team operates in schools in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) hoping to reduce abuses, violence, the spreading of HIV and gender inequality.
They are carried out by Prevention Workers, who are young unemployed stipend volunteers trained by the association. They are helped by Peer Trainers and IPM Ambassadors. We invite referrals from social services for young people who are at risk of exclusion from school to train as Peer Trainers.
Positive outcomes include :
- Reduction in incidents of violence
- Reduction in bullying
- Reduction in teenage pregnancies
- Increase in bystander interventions
- Assistance to educators to satisfy their duty of youth involvement under the South African National Development Plan for Education
- Gender based violence awareness through teachers and parents workshops
- PWs are active in their own groups : churches, mosques, youth clubs, etc
- Reduction of HIV and Aids impact
- Skills development and job creation