Learn How to Reach Peers Through "Edutainment"
~~Adz:Left~~Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 28, 2008 (SKNIS): Young people in St. Kitts are exploring new techniques of communicating the many related issues of health and family life education to their peers.
The Department of Youth in collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and BARCAM is hosting a three-day training of trainers workshop for approximately 20 persons from various youth-related organizations. The participants are learning how to use drama through theater to reach their peers.
At Tuesday’s opening, held at the University of the West Indies Center, Patricia McPherson of the CARICOM Secretariat noted that in 1997, her agency was mandated by regional Ministers of Education to partner closely with Member States to address social ills. She noted that a decision was taken to tackle social issues from a health perspective.
“The word says that God wants us to be in good health and health talks about wellness … and a good overall lifestyle,” explained Ms. McPherson. “People are dying from lifestyle relates illnesses [such as] diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Heads of Government recognize that we can no longer sit idly by but we must have strong interventions that will make persons recognize that when we talk about health that is preventative, we talking about health that persons must take responsibility for.”
The BARCAM is a humanitarian; community and developmental organization based in Trinidad and Tobago. The organisation has an Educative/Development Theatre Unit that is a best practice of how young people can create paths for sustainable livelihoods while impacting the development of other young people, adults and targeted communities.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Youth Osmond Petty said that peer to peer education is a powerful tool and noted that edutainment – which is a form of education through entertainment – is a particularly creative way to reach young people.
“Peer educators, such as you, the participants in this workshop, can help change behaviours through discussions, video and drama presentations or even recreational activities,” he noted. “I am told by Mr. Selwyn Lewis of BARCAM that edutainment, which is the methodology of this workshop, [has been effective] … in changing the attitudes, values and behaviours of others.”
In his speech to declare the workshop open, Mr. Petty encouraged the participants to learn as much as possible so that they can successfully recreate the teaching skills.
The sessions are being facilitated by Selwyn Lewis of BARCAM along with Ms. McPherson. They are assisted by Naeemah Menon, Guidance Counsellor at the Washington Archibald High School.
