Peer Education is the process whereby well trained and motivated young people undertake informal or
organized educational activities with their peers (those similar to themselves in age, background or interest.
Peer Educators are in the ideal position to give voice to their (students population health needs. So, if they are
empowered with knowledge and authority, they can be trained to play a significant role supporting the health
(social, mental, and physical wellbeing) of their peers.

• Knowledge and understanding of themselves and others
• Communicate effectively with individuals.
• Understanding what is Peer Helping.
• Listen actively and attentively.
• Be a shoulder to cry on and refer students to Counsellors.
• Respect the confidentiality of their peers.

• Give voice to the health needs of the student population.
• Disseminate information and create awareness around critical healthiness issues.
• Communicate clear-cut and preventive health promotion messages, specifically to mitigate against the
  quadruple burden of diseases.
• Organize and Psycho educational events and Dialogue to empower their peers with knowledge around
  prevention and treatment.
• Interact on a one-to-basis to screen, educate and refer their peers in accordance with their health
  needs.
• Assists to identify and follow up with high-risk individuals and groups.
• Advocate for behavior change around high risk behavior.

Aims at increasing knowledge and eliminating misinformation around communicable and non-communicable
diseases. The primary aim thereof is to encourage health seeking behavior and enhancement of quality of life
in young people, through testing and/or screening for major ailments such as HIV/TB/STI, Cancer and Cardio-Vascular and Diabetes risk factors. FTP programme specifically targets the following:

• HIV/AIDS
• TB
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
• Hypertension, Diabetes, and/or Cardiovascular Risk Factors
• Cancer
• Family Planning
• Condom Promotion
• Male Medical Circumcisions

This programme aims to encourage men to utilize health services, including sexual and reproductive health
services, empower them on how to protect themselves from infections and maintain optimal levels of health
and well-being, motivate them to become involved in the prevention of physical and sexual violence. The
programme focuses on the following:

• Overview of men’s health and screening tests for men and specifically men’s cancers
• Condom Use
• Male Medical Circumcision
• Challenges of being a man in South Africa
• Gender-based Violence
  LGBTQIA+
  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexually plus. The programme aims to
  review accurate and relevant information about each of the key health risk pertaining to LGBTI persons
  and address stigma and discrimination of the LGBTI community. The programme focuses on the
  following targeted area:
• Human Sexuality
• Overview of LGBTQIA+
• Myths and misconceptions related to LGBTQIA+
• Stigma and Discrimination

This programme aims to encourage sexual and reproductive health services, empower young women on how
to protect themselves from infections and gender-based violence and motivate them to maintain optimal levels
of health and well-being. The programme focuses on the following:

• Overview of women’s health and screening tests for women and specifically women cancers.
• Family Planning
• Gender-Based Violence
• Personality and Power

• To avoid feeling bored
• To fit in with their peers
• To have more self-confidence to belong to a special group
• To forget about problems
• To relax
• To feel good

All these reasons are about changing the way people feel.

• Psycho-social factors
• Economic factors
• Cultural factors
• Genetic factors

Drug abuse means the voluntary abuse of drugs- i.e. where people choose to do so although it is dangerous.
Dependence is a bit further down the line and it involves compulsive abuse of drugs-i.e. where people are
driven to abuse them by a powerful internal compulsion.
Illegal substances: heroin, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and suchlike.
Prescription drugs: tranquillizers, sleeping pills and alcohol.

The aim of the ADAP programme is to expose peers to information pertaining to alcohol and drug use/abuse
that can lead to better health outcomes and ultimately influence students to reduce alcohol and drug
use/abuse. The programme focus on the following targets areas viz:

• Overview of alcohol and drug abuse prevention (Rationale, goals and keys definitions)
• Health issue relate to ADAP
• Reviewing knowledge on the SA drug scene
• Impact of alcohol and drugs use/abuse: mental, social and physical
• Principles of good practices in working with ADAP programmes
• Knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required by peer educators working with ADAP programmes

“No matter how far you go the wrong road, you can always turn back.”

A danger with the so-called “casual drug abuse” is that it carries a risk that over time it can escalate into
habitual drug abuse. This can be the foundation for drug dependency.
Risk to personal safety- danger of death or injury by overdose, accident or aggression.
Damage to health- including brain damage liver failure, mental problems etc.
Legal consequences risk of imprisonment, fine and criminal record.
Destructive behavior-that can harm self, family and friends.

Can be driven by physical or psychological factors.
Physical dependence is when the body comes to need a drug to function normally. If it’s not taken,
unpleasant withdrawal symptoms occur. The only way to avoid this to take more drug(s).

Psychological dependence is when an individual comes to rely on drug to supply good feelings – such as
relaxation, self-confidence, self-esteem, freedom from anxiety etc. This is not just a casual desire, it’s a
powerful compulsion.

• They may act irresponsibly – causing financial problems, difficulties at work or school.
• They may lose the trust of family and friends by deceit and broken promises.
• They may lie or steal in order to continue using drugs or alcohol.
• They may feel shame and guilt from repeated failure in trying to control their intake.
• And yet he or she will usually insist that there’s nothing wrong.

• Avoid negative people, places and habits.
• Believe in yourself. Distance yourself from those who belittle and discourage you.
• Clutter hinders efficiency. Get rid of any clutter in your home, work space and the emotional clutter in
  your mind and spirit.
• Develop financial intelligence and discipline. Save and spend wisely.
• Endure the tough times. Don’t give up! Trouble doesn’t last always.
• Family and friends are a treasure. Spending more time with those matters.