Life Skills in Schools
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Despite decades of progress, too many women are still silent victims of rape, domestic violence, assault, abuse, discrimination and their own fears. These are some of the issues Yazini aims to combat, through facilitating healthy behavioural change which will empower the young people and enable them to make informed decisions.

Yazini is a youth development project that exists to serve schools and communities, using customised programs that promote behavioural change in the areas of personal development gender, sexual and reproductive health and HIV and AIDS. Their vision is to have youth and communities that are informed about current issues and are mentally independent. Through education and training in both primary and high schools Yazini hopes to not only educate these children and youth, but also their families and the extended communities.

Yazini facilitators go into schools weekly and address young people in the classroom. Through the life skills program, learners are encouraged to set up and run their own peer education groups and networks within the school. Leadership training is provided for those who head the groups and ongoing support from the Yazini team is given. Yazini is currently operating in 12 schools around the Pietermaritzburg and Durban areas, in rural areas, informal settlements and townships.

Yazini aims to-

  • Provide correct information on personal development, reproductive health, gender, HIV and AIDS to learners and community members so that they can make informed decisions
  • Facilitate the process for learners to become influencers through the peer education program
  • Invite teachers to actively participate in the Yazini program with the aim of continually facilitating life skills effectively
  • Equipping learners and community members with the skills to make positive behaviour change

The following activities are run by Yazini staff to achieve the above aims-

Weekly life skills classes- Staff and volunteers conduct weekly life skills with learners. Learners are be given assignments as part of their commitment to behaviour change. Life skills deals with personal development, reproductive health and gender, with curriculum designed specifically for high school and primary school learners.

Training of teachers – Teachers are trained on life skills to enable them to work with learners effectively. Courses, run by Yazini staff, are provided for the teachers so they are better equipped to support the Yazini staff in educating the Learners.