Sara helps youth to confront issues

Esi is a teenager attending school in Ghana. She faces many challenges as she struggles to complete her basic education. She feels shy asking or answering questions in class, and she is exposed to sexual exploitation by peers and adult males which could result in pregnancy and/or HIV infection. Many Ghanaian girls like Esi face similar problems that affect their school performance and sometimes stop them from completing basic education.

To help girls stay focused on education and effectively handle schooling and sexuality issues, USAID supported an expansion of Sara, a UNICEF project. Sara, an adolescent role model, is popular among young people and educators in promoting positive behavior. In 2002, USAID sponsored the training of educators to use Sara clubs to address issues like sexual harassment, teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Sara clubs were then organized in schools at which girls and boys discussed together how Sara and her friends handled challenges and never gave up even in difficulties. The clubs turned Sara's stories into plays, told the stories in local languages, and used her adventures in puppet shows. Club kits, including books, posters, videos and games were produced to stimulate discussions and promote healthy and safe behavior.

Sara clubs have raised awareness among the youth, especially girls, about sexual relations and the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention. "We can be nice with boys, but when they start touching our breasts and thighs, we have to avoid them," said Edem. Girls now freely share ideas and problems with their parents and teachers, particularly female ones, and report cases of sexual harassment to teachers. In addition, girls are now confident in asking and answering questions in class. For parents and teachers, the Sara slogan "I know my goal" has renewed in girls the interest of learning; girls are now more focused on their education and some of them top boys in academic performance. Sara is helping girls stay in school and the approach is contributing to keeping teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS rates low.