Pamoja Project in Arusha, Tanzania

The Pamoja Project focuses on teaching and raising awareness of HIV/AIDS for community members and schoolchildren. Most of your time will be spent teaching, lesson planning, and training peer educators. You will also be involved in community assessment work within villages. Peer-to-peer learning has proven to be an effective model for behavior change communication among adolescents. Peer education is a particularly powerful method for reaching young people. This educational program targets both government and private primary and secondary schools. Educators are nominated and elected by teachers and fellow students, and they are among the brightest, most outgoing students in their class. Volunteers and program officers provide training for peer leaders and a three-day seminar for peer education teachers. Our partner and field officers stay in touch with schools and different community project stakeholders, helping peer educators organize special events such as sports days, exchange learning visits, and competitions within and among schools. These students use dynamic education techniques such as songs, drama, debates, and poetry to engage other youths.