Young Health Programme

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, strokes, cancers, diabetes and respiratory diseases account for 27% of deaths, many premature, in Kenya and pose a huge threat to young urban men and women. The Programme aims to reduce the risk behaviours which can trigger NCDs, such as substance abuse, harmful use of alcohol, and a lack of physical exercise, as well as those which damage adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health (ASRH).

This five-year project aims to contribute to improved health and gender equality of girls and boys between 10-24 years of age in Kibera, Nairobi will specifically ensure that girls and boys aged 10-24 years of age in the urban slum of Kibera, Nairobi are practicing fewer risky behaviours due to an increased capacity to make informed choices and to protect their health, now and in the future.

The focus of this Programme is on risk behaviours which can lead to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The 5 risk behaviours include tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, risky sexual behaviours, physical inactivity and poor eating habits.

Project Objectives

The YHP in Kenya will work to bring about three key results:

1. Access to information and resources on the prevention of NCDs and SRH
2. Creation of an enabling, community environment for the protection and promotion of adolescent health
3. Government services and policies that are responsive to the health risks and rights of young people

Geographical coverage

The project covers 8 villages of Kibra in Nairobi county namely:

•   Makina
•   Lindi,
•   Gatwekera,
•   Kisumu Ndogo
•   Soweto West
•   Raila
•   Silanga
•   Laini Saba

Activity 1.6 Capacity Building of Peer Educators

During the period under review, the project conducted annual capacity building and mentorship (team building) with Peer Educators to enhance teamwork, communication skills, conflict management and self-awareness. The two-days residential exercise was conducted at Jumuia Hotel and Conference Centre – Limuru. A total of 34 peer educators, five AMURT staff and one Plan International representative took part in the event. To effectively achieve the objective; the sessions were executed under the following activities:

The lessons learnt from “fill the bottle” exercise included:

• That when a team jointly agrees on how to achieve their goal and all members unwaveringly work towards realizing the same then the team has higher chances for success
• That in a team, it is not prudent to have everyone leading or taking charge. A team performs better when one leader coordinates its activities, with each team member allocated specific tasks/roles for the success of the whole team.
• That short-cuts are no substitutes for achieving good results, we have to play by the rules for a clear and just win as a team. Honesty is very crucial

Activity 1.6.2: Support Peer Educators in monthly reporting and mentorship

Project review, reporting and mentorship is as important as implementation of other project activities. During the period under review, monthly review and mentorship meetings took place at the cluster levels. A total of 144 mentorship and review meetings were conducted. This entailed review of previous YHP activities done, planning for the upcoming activities, project dynamics addressed through mentorships. Below is a photo of members of Lainisinga actively engaging in their monthly mentorship and planning meeting. This happens in the project cluster areas.