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by James Omondi Ouko, Pandipieri CHIC
The computerized health information center is one of the best things to happen to our community. It is a facility that empowers the youth, especially those who have been marginalized. It provides accurate and current information on matters pertaining to health.
At the Pandipieri Center, the majority of clients are youth. This is a clear example of the big information gap affecting our youth. There is a big thirst for knowledge among the youth. The institutions of instruction in the society have been greatly eroded since people's priorities have shifted. The end result is that the youth don't get very accurate instructions. Most of the time it is youth to youth instruction. Thus, we have a situation where a blind person is leading another one.
As a peer educator in my community, I have come to associate myself with the plight of youth. This social group has been greatly neglected, and most of the time when there are activities focused on them, they are directed by older people who may not comprehend the plight of the youth. This realization has made me dedicate more time to dealing with them.
I am proud of the way WIRED enhanced my standing among the youth. By giving me a chance to serve my community more purposefully, I am able to face my fellow youth with authority. Besides giving me a chance to serve my community, I am now very knowledgeable on many health issues. But as I go out in the community, I recognize gaps in the interventions we have in place.
As a peer educator, I am a strong advocate for increased focus on working with the youth, youth groups, peer education and advocacy clubs in schools and community. By working with these groups, we will disseminate information and knowledge to grassroots beneficiaries. By working with school clubs, we can bridge the gap that has been created thus reducing the danger posed to the youth.
There are many challenges in my work that I encounter every day. I am young and faced with a lot of temptations. I am supposed to be a role model to the young, but at the same time I am supposed to appear normal to my peers. I have young women who would want to be associated with me intimately. I cannot ignore them, as I want to convey information to them. But I have to make sure I don't convey the wrong messages so I am not misunderstood. What can a peer youth educator do?
- Be genuine to yourself and to your peers
- Believe in what you do and give it your best
- Read danger signs early enough to avoid being misread
- Share your challenges in the field with other educators
- Learn and know how to say NO — it might be your lifeline
The above principles have greatly guided me to become a good person in my community. Many youth come to me for guidance and I am very happy that I am contributing positively to my community. Because of this I always thank my God for having brought WiRED INTERNATIONAL to us. I am now a person of value and I strive to excel.
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