Life Skills

Outline

The PeacePlayers International-South Africa (PPI-SA) Life Skills program is training hundreds of young South African adults to be peer mentors/ role models while educating thousands of children about HIV/Aids and other critical health and social issues by using an innovative and alternative methodology.

Through local and international partnerships, the PeacePlayers International-South Africa Life Skills team has developed and implemented a unique program wide “life skills” curriculum. The curriculum addresses important social issues in appropriate ways for these 10-14 year old boys and girls and provides them with the knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes and self-images that will enable them to lead healthy, productive lives. What differentiates our program from others is that our coaches have now established strong relationships with the kids they work with outside the classroom. We have trained our coaches as mentors/ role models to their children. The information they are taught to present is done so through open discussion outside the confined classrooms that encourages participation and interaction. A bond of trust has been formed which allows our coaches to reach their kids where others programs do not.

Breakdown of Topics Discussed:

In 2003, the Life Skills program was formally introduced to our staff. We covered HIV/AIDS awareness and Racism/ Sexism/ Diversity.

In 2004, the Life Skills program covered HIV/AIDS awareness, Drugs & Alcohol awareness, Racism/ Sexism/ Diversity, and Conflict Resolution.

In 2005, the Life Skills program covered Personal Development, HIV/AIDS awareness, Diversity and Conflict Resolution.

In 2006, the Life Skills program covered Personal Development, HIV/Aids awareness, and Diversity.

The Life Skills program in 2007 is focused on Personal Development, HIV/Aids awareness, and Diversity.

Our Partners:

• Harvard University School of Public Health
• Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society
• University of Maryland Center for International Development and Conflict Management
• University of KwaZulu Natal, Psychology Department
• University of KwaZulu Natal, Linguistics Department
• University of the Free State, Centre for Development Support
• HIVAN (Centre for HIV AIDS Networking, University of KwaZulu Natal)
• PPASA (Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa)
• SANCA Drugs & Alcohol Treatment Centre
• South Africa Police Service
• CARAS Trust (The Centre for Anti-Racism and Anti-Sexism)

Measuring Our Success

Bridging Divides

In 2005, the University of the Free State conducted an independent analysis of the ‘Bridging Divides’ aspect of PeacePlayers International-South Africa.

To read a summary of the assessment, please click here: CDS Assessment 2005 Report Summary

To read the full assessment document, please click here: Playing for Peace Assessment

HIV/ AIDS Awareness

Dr. Steven Collings, Professor of Psychology at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) in Durban, completed an assessment of the PPI-SA HIV/Aids program through a statistical analysis of a sample of our questionnaires. In 2003 and 2004, we distributed and collected over 2000 HIV/Aids questionnaire’s that our learners completed prior to their first session and a follow up questionnaire during the final session of the HIV/Aids curriculum. When we handed them over to Dr. Collings, we had hoped to find significant differences in what information these children had prior to our program compared to what they now have through our efforts. Dr. Collings’ assessment of these questionnaires has shown that PPI-SA has:

* Emerged as a significant source of knowledge regarding HIV/Aids for respondents;
* Significantly increased respondents knowledge regarding mediums of transmission in HIV/Aids; and
* Effectively challenged prejudicial beliefs regarding HIV/Aids.

To read the full report, please click here: Steve Collings UKZN HIVAIDS Assessment

Program Components

Training of Coaches

PeacePlayers International-South Africa is partnering with Harvard University School of Public Health’s Centre for the Support of Peer Education. Our coaches participate in two intensive, training workshops as well as monthly clinics facilitated by these experts in peer mentorship and HIV/ Aids awareness, drugs & alcohol awareness, and other social issues. This training prepares these young men and women to serve as youth mentors and to educate thousands of children about important life skills. During these workshops, coaches are also thoroughly trained to present the selected life skills manuals.

Curriculum Manuals and Weekly Sessions

All 85 PPI-SA coaches are trained to lead life skills sessions with their kids using their PPI-SA Life Skills manuals. These sessions are held once per week before practice. The coaches have been trained to facilitate these sessions and to make sure they are most effective. Sessions take place outside the classroom, next to or near the basketball court to allow for a more focused atmosphere.

Rural Outreach Program

The rural areas of South Africa typically have the least resources for youth education and empowerment. The PeacePlayers International-South Africa Life Skills program expanded to the rural communities of Molweni and Umbumbulu in 2004. All PPI-SA rural coaches are continuously trained to lead weekly life skills sessions with their kids using their PPI-SA Life Skills manuals. We have reached over 300 young boys and girls in both communities each year since 2004.

Life Skills Clinics

PPI-SA facilitates monthly clinics that combine fundamental basketball instruction with workshops focusing on important social and health issues. Professional organizations partner with PPI-SA’s Life Skills team to facilitate workshops in HIV/Aids awareness, drugs & alcohol awareness, racism & diversity, and conflict resolution. The clinics involve between 50-100 children and are held on Fridays and Saturdays at several venues. The participants are drawn from schools and clubs, and are placed into small, diverse groups.

Life Skills Retreats

Each year, PPI-SA and selected partnership NGOs facilitate our Kids Retreats for 1 boy and 1 girl from each participating 6th and 7th grade class, with approximately 60 kids per class per retreat. Each Kids Retreat is conducted over 3 days in an isolated setting. Activities include fun team building exercises and workshops with HIV/AIDS awareness, drugs & alcohol abuse, racism & diversity, and conflict resolution experts. These children are chosen by their coaches to represent their peers based on their leadership qualities. These children return to school with their experiences and assume the role of PPI-SA ambassadors as they pass on to their peers the positive messages learned on the retreat.

Contact

Raquel Thompson , Life Skills Coordinator rthompson@peaceplayersintl.org
031-307-2814 (Durban, SA office phone)
031-307-2815 (Durban, SA fax)