GOVPH

 
Cognizant to RA 10354 entitled Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, Peer education training is conceptualized and designed to prepare peer educators of the Teen Health Kiosk in the topics on Adolescent Development : Sex, Gender and Development; Teen pregnancy; Sexually Transmitted infections, HIV and AIDS; Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning.

The selected nurses, guidance counselors, teachers and students who participated in this four-day Peer Educators training came from the Sub-Offices of Alitagtag, Calaca, Bauan, Malvar, San Pascual, San Jose, Taal, and Taysan, who aimed in developing their core group of peer educators who can assist in generating awareness and demand for adolescent-friendly information/ education, and referral for counseling and services on adolescent sexuality, reproductive health.

The Day 1 of the training started with an Invocation and National Anthem through audio-visual presentation and was followed by a mesmerizing welcome message given by Dr. Khareen Cadano, Medical Officer III DepEd Batangas. All is well as Christian King Adalin and Cassandra Althea Alegria, peer educators from Alitagtag SHS, facilitated the flow of the program and made the sessions engaging and fun.


The essence and overview of the training was emphasized by Mr. Christian Harina, Division ARH Coordinator/Nurse-in-Charge of School Health Section, which made the learners eager to listen very well as they will have their essential roles and participation as peer educators.

As to start each session in a well-organized flow, the participants were grouped and assigned as facilitator for the morning and afternoon preliminary activities for each day. Exercising also their leadership and cooperation, each group were encouraged to work well together for every session and tasks to be assigned to them during their training.

The enthusiastic speaker for the four-day training was Mr. Rodolfo T. Anacan Jr., Senior Provincial Technical Officer USAIDâ??s Reach Health. He delivered the training rationale and objectives, followed by a pre-assessment of each participant. He was assisted by Mr. Adalin and Ms. Alegria.

Furthermore, the following series of sessions were highlighted for the day by the speakers:

Session 1: Orientation on the DOH Adolescent Health & Development Policy: AO 2013-0013
Session 2: The State of Health of the Filipino Adolescents
Session 3: Body Map: Understanding Self and Sexuality
Session 4: Values Clarification on ARH Issues and Concerns
Session 5: Understanding Adolescence, Puberty and Fertility Awareness

Another fruitful day was accomplished indeed for the Day 2 of the Peer Educators and Peer Navigators Training held on 23rd of August 2023.

The activeness and eagerness of each participant increased for they are becoming more interested and curious for each and every session.

Most of the participants were actively listening and participating, especially in raising their queries and sharing their thoughts and experiences for better learning and understanding. Moreover, their presentations and tasks were expressed precisely knowing that they had internalized the ideas shared by the resourceful speakers.

The sessions for the day were shared and discussed by Mr. Rodolfo T. Anacan Jr., Mr. Christian King Adalin and Ms. Cassandra Althea Alegria and the topics are as follows:

Session 6: Sex, Gender and Development
Session 7: HIV-AIDS and the Youth
Session 8: Substance Abuse in the Philippines
Session 9: Understanding the Risks and Realities of Teen Pregnancy
Session 10: Power Walk
Session 11: Family Planning and Responsible Parenthood
Session 12: Peer Education 101

Sophocles shared in his quote "Always desire to learn something useful." and same goes well with the burning desire of the Peer Educators of SDO Batangas. Such desire was to uplift the advocacy of spreading awareness and demand for adolescent-friendly information/ education, and referral for counseling and services on adolescent sexuality, reproductive health.


The Day 3 of the Peer training was a day full of power that showcased the skills and capabilities of each participants in educating, engaging, and convincing their co-learners with what concepts and ideas they are discussing. The morning preliminaries were led by Bauan Tech HIS and Ilat NHS Peer Educators. Chronological order of the presenters were arranged by Mr. Adalin and Ms. Algeria through draw lots, and specific instructions and guidelines were clarified by Mr. Anacan.

All the presentations were criticized and commended by the present guidance counselors and ARH coordinators, as led by Nurse Christian Harina, in order to gather some tips and suggestions that they may share and advise to the peer educators as they will lead their colleagues in their respective schools.

Some of the tips and suggestions given are as follows:

In terms of presentations, observe proper font size and color combinations, also focus on essential details needed in each slide.
As presenters, remember to have eye contact with the audiences and connect the queries with what is being tackled to make the session go harmoniously.
Be confident with what you are discussing and make it lively to catch attention
Share, express and point out ideas in a convincing way to gain the trust and attention of the audiences

After the practicum of learners, Mr. Anacan talked about the following sessions:

Session 14: Roles and Responsibilities of Peer Educators
Session 15: Working relationship and arrangement for the Teen Health Kiosk (THK)
Session 16: Recording and Reporting in the THK
Session 16: Recording and Reporting in the THK
Session 17: Action Planning for the THK
Peer Health Navigation Programs in Schools
Post-test and Evaluation
Synthesis