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Have your say
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What Peer Educators have said:
- "I used to think that in life there will be certain things I will never achieve because I am poor and do not have the opportunities others have. But being a peer educator has changed my thinking. I now know that whatever happens to me, if I am strong and believe in my goals and I have vision in my life, I can move forward. Without goals and vision you will never get anywhere." (Patrick, Grade 12 Peer Educator)
- "We as Africans tend to forget the true potential of our country,
of our own continent. We, as this generation of Africans, need
to start realising the treasures we hold" (Althea, Grade 11 Peer
Educator)
- "I learnt to speak when I became a peer educator. I have had
to make a lot of difficult decisions and choices. I used to be
very influenced by peer pressure but now I can say NO. I can say,
'I am not ready for sex'". (Bianca, Grade 11 Peer Educator)
- "Peer Education doesn't tell you what to do differently but
changes you as a person, so that you can do things differently...
I think it is probably the best approach imaginable when dealing
with young people" (Kurt, Grade 12 Peer Educator)
What other teens say about Peer Educators and Peer Education:
- "I have chosen to abstain from sex as a result of talks I have had with a peer educator"
- "My friendship with a Peer Educator has taught me how to make decisions not only based on today but what will happen tomorrow"
- "My life has changed in a positive way because of my friend. He has taught me how to handle friends who give me drugs. He has also taught me a lot about teenage sex and the consequences"
- "A lot has changed for me. I have seen that it is possible to have dreams for my future and to set goals to make them come true"
Stakeholders:
- "We have many problems in the community: Kids don't listen to their parents any more. They don't go home after school and they do 'bad' things in the community, roaming the streets and abusing drugs, alcohol, property and people. Peer Education leads to a change in lifestyle and peer educators help young people to cope with the problems that face them in their daily lives, to discipline themselves, respect the older generation and relate to others better. Peer Education is teaching moral fibre and how to be a responsible citizen in your own community" (Mr Tyali is a pastor and a primary school teacher)
- "Peer educators have had a very positive influence on their peers. They have been amazingly influential, in some cases life-changing influential" (Principal Mr Edwards, Fish Hoek High)
- "This programme is wonderful. It strives to make the youth more focussed, to make the right choices and to enable them to follow their dreams" (Mr Nkomombini, HOKISA)
Poems:
"The voice of change"
I'm frightened
I'm imprisoned
I'm trapped
I'm haunted
by this ghostly spirit of my past.
Who am I?
What am I?
What is this?
Was this the person that i was meant to be?
Was this my destiny?
I ask myself with the fear of the answer.
Change! Change !
This voice says to me
and, oh yes, I have changed.
Changed is the drunken person that I was.
Changed is the low self esteemed human that I was.
Changed is the night rider in me.
Like the old song says:
Was blind but now I see
Was lost but now I'm found.
Found is the new person that I am.
This voice has preached to me
this voice has touched me
this voice has spoken to me
and I have heard this voice
The voice of change!
By Luyanda Mbi: Track 4 Peer Educator from Masiphumelele High School
"Good Night Mother."
She is two years old, a bright one.
Her life is special, her smile like the sun.
She has a bright future, a real little star.
This little child has characteristics to go far.
People admire her, young and old
Her name is famous, you'll see it in bold.
But this little girl isn't what she seems to be
She has a secret, one that shapes her reality.
Because even in her life full of people
She remains alone in the world
No matter how hard she tries to be happy
She really is empty and alone.
Everyone needs a family, a mom and a dad
But this little girl's mom is dying and her daddy is bad.
When born into poverty your life only goes one way
You either fight to better yourself or go astray
'Cause this little girl won't have her mother to look up to.
HIV is destroying her mind, soul and body too.
There is no cure for this disease, no course to follow
This little girl watches as her mother's face goes from love to hollow
This illness hasn't just killed another
It's taken a woman, a wife and a mother's
So the little girl goes to bed at night
She closes her eyes, tries to sleep tight.
But this girl is clever, a bright spark
She knows that, no matter what, her mother will always be in her heart.
By - Carima Behardien- Grade 11 Peer Educator from Fish Hoek High School
"You are No Man"
You are No Man.
You lay a hand on a Woman
You are No Man
You hit and abuse a helpless female soul
You are No Man
To protect, love and obey, if you don't do that for her then
You are No Man
You hit and break down her hopeful spirit then
You are No man
She cries and lives in fear, because of you.
You are No Man
She dreads going, because of you.
You are No Man
What happened to cherish, honour and love till death do you part?
She'd rather die, than live like this with you'll a day longer because
You are No Man
But the heartache and tears make her stronger
And she realises she can't continue this a day longer
She speaks up and moves out.
She looks for a better tomorrow
Because she is a Woman.
By - Ziyanda Luke - Grade 11 Peer Educator from Simon's Town
High School
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