Posted: 20/06/2007
Last week we met a group of young people from Mayapuri, all with inspiring tales to tell.
The peer educators were active members of their Bal Mandal (children's group). Poonam and Jaymala had launched themselves into all the Bal Mandal's activities with great enthusiasm and dedication. After attending Asha workshops and sessions on Adolescent Health & Social Development, they were chosen and trained as peer educators, who teach other young people about issues that are relevant to them.
In a country where many of these topics are the subject of much confusion and are often taboo, these girls have taken a brave step by volunteering to tell their peers the facts about sexual health, changes that people should expect during adolescence and problems that people might encounter as they are growing up.
Poonam and Jaymala explained how children and young people between the ages of 10 and 18 are usually happy to speak to them and learn from them, as they are often confused or have been misinformed, and are not willing to approach their elders with any questions. 
At times, adults are sometimes not happy about their children learning these facts. They refer to the peer educators' sessions as "dirty communication" and so on, and would rather that their children remain ignorant of such issues. However, Poonam and Jaymala are still approached on a regular basis and encourage others to attend their sessions. They always look out for situations where there may be a particular need, such as when they suspect that someone is being abused, or using drugs.
Both girls were proud to tell us about how they'd raised awareness within their community and helped young people by educating and counselling them about topics such as gender bias, sexual abuse or family planning.
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Later, we spoke to three boys who'd been equally active in their roles as male peer educators. In addition to educating their peers and dispelling many myths, they'd got many children admitted to school and had spent a lot of time with a teenager, Mananjam, who had been visiting prostitutes and using drugs. They encouraged him to dangers of his behaviour, and encouraged him to get tested for HIV and various STIs.
The boy's tests were all negative, but he was relieved to be safe and started spending a lot of time at the Asha centre to avoid temptation. Mananjam attended many classes while at the centre and learnt enough to be a peer educator himself. He can now spot teenagers with the problems he experienced himself, and is a very valuable member of the team.
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Getting involved with Asha was a turning point in my life. I became part of the women's group where I realised that there were other women like me, and we can be listened to and our views consulted. The confidence I gained has given me strength to help so many people.
Noorjahan, CHV and midwife, Seelampur
