Report on the Information, Education and Communication Workshop for the development of Posters and Manuals on Life Skills and HIV/AIDS for Young People

 8^th – 12^th May 2006 at Grassroot Gender Empowerment Movement (GGEM), John Street, Freetown

Participants from Peace Child Sierra Leone:

 Abubakarr Bah; Evelyn Koroma; Michael Vandenbroucke; Thomas Zorokong

 Day 1: Monday 8^th May 2006

The workshop, organised by the youth component of the Global Fund HIV/AIDS project, was officially opened by Mr. Haroun K Touray of the National HIV/AIDS Secretariat and chaired by Ms. Francess Moikula. In her opening remarks the chairman welcomed participants of the workshop and encouraged all to participate fully in our bid to stamp out the dreadful pandemic. Her remarks were followed by statements from Mr. Solomon A. S. A Kargbo, Executive Director, CADO, and a representative from the Ministry of Youths and Sports; and the presentation of a skit, in which the main theme of the workshop was introduced: education on life skills and HIV/AIDS for young people.

Mr. Sahr Pessima the lead facilitator gave a short overview of the workshop. Mr. Edmund Makieu from UNICEF conducted the first session on the Topic: Situation Analysis of HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone and its impact on the Youth Population. After lunch we were divided into three groups to make a fishbone on the Enabling and Inhibiting factors in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS within the different communities of the country. This first assignment was followed by group presentations and plenary discussion.

 Day 2: Tuesday 9^th May 2006

A short recap on day 1 was done, followed by the first session by Mr. B. A. Kawa from the National Aids Secretariat. The topic was: Information Education and Communication Material Development Processes and Techniques. The techniques include Knowledge, Attitudes Practices and Beliefs and the materials include Posters, leaflets, handbills, stickers, film shows, billboards, Newsletters, Jingles Skits, Drama and Manuals. These materials were basically to inform and educate the intended target group(s). Again, we were divided into three groups to work on the materials. A first group was asked to write a manual on Life Skills and HIV/AIDS, a second to develop posters and the third group was asked to develop flyers, stickers and billboards on life skills and HIV/AIDS. There were then group presentations and plenary discussions.

 Day 3: Wednesday 10^th May 2006

After a short recap on day 2 Mr. Edmund Makieu introduced the topic, which was: Life Skills and HIV/ AIDS Prevention. These skills were Critical Thinking/ Decision Making Skills, Interpersonal/ Communication Skills, and Coping and Management Skills. Life skills empower young people to take positive action to protect themselves and promote healthy and positive social relationships. In the context of HIV/AIDS prevention, a good knowledge of these skills is crucial and therefore a main theme within the Global Fund campaign. As an exercise in these life skills, we were asked to write and perform a skit on them.

 Day 4: Thursday 11^th May 2006

The group work on the development of IEC materials on Life Skills and HIV/AIDS continued. The group that was working on the Posters went on a pre-testing exercise in different environments. The pre-testing exercise was very important as it determines whether the intended target group will interpret the materials accordingly.  The other groups stayed in and continued their work. After pre-testing the materials the group came and presented their findings.

 Day 5: Friday 12^th May 2006

The last day of the workshop was for Presentations and Consolidation of manuscripts. Participants gave in their contributions on the materials developed followed by rap-up series. Participants were given their per diems and finally dismissed.