The power of peer to peer model
Amref Health Africa through the DESIP Program has been addressing the information gap on family planning and sexual reproductive health for the teenage population in the target counties of operation. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the closure of learning institutions for the rest of the year thus parents are faced with the task of guiding their children on refraining from negative activities and risky behavior that could lead to early pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases.
Christine Akinyi Otieno, 16, from West Kamagak Location in Kasipul Kabondo Constituency, Homabay County has greatly benefited from DESIP. She acknowledges the goodwill of the program that has offered them various trainings on basics about family planning methods and its importance, sensitization on how to know and defend their worth as teenage girls. “The program has also linked us to youth friendly peer providers and above all, created awareness on the advantages of using family planning methods for the sexually active girls,” said Christine, adding that the program highlights more on the preventive measures and if the young person cannot abstain they are linked to a peer provider for counseling on various family planning options.
The program has also contributed to her improved self-esteem, empowered her with basic knowledge about family planning methods, her confidence level and improved her interaction skills. Christine vowed to share what she has learned from the program with her peers and lauded the program for their continued support in offering reproductive health services to the young girls from her community.
DESIP is a follow up Family Planning programme being implemented in a consortium led by PS Kenya in collaboration with Population Services International (PSI), AMREF Kenya, Options Consultancy Services, Faith To Action (F2A) Network, Health Right International (HRI) and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)Kenya. The goal of the project is to increase access to, and use of, modern contraceptives across Kenya, while increasing equity and sustainability, with a particular focus on adolescents, people living with disability and rural women. Amref is implementing the project in nine counties namely: Homa bay, Mombasa, Kwale, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Wajir, Garissa and Tana-River.
