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Name of organisation : SOUL for development
Address: New University Area - AL-Horia Street, opposite to Shehab Agency, Republic of Yemen – Sana’a City
Telephone: 00967 1 223999 / 255568
Fax : 00967 1 227918
E-mail: soul-yemen@y.net.ye
Website: http://www.soul.org.ye/
Contact name: Dr Arwa Al-Deram
Child-to-Child activities
The Child-to-Child (CtC) activities started in 2003, under the auspice of the Office of the Ministry of Education. Swedish organisation Rad'aa Barren was the funding agency. The project aimed to promote the CtC concept and the approach among male and female teachers in 10 schools in Sana’a City.
In February 2007 there was a second CtC project that targeted both teachers and students in 8 schools in Sana’a City, 24 children and 24 teachers were involved in the training. The Qatar Association for Charity funded the project.
Both projects were implemented and organised by SOUL with the collaboration of trainers from the Child-to-Child Association from Aden.
Aims of the activities
The project that was conducted in 2003 aimed to disseminate the methodology known as ‘Child-to-Child’. This methodology was developed in ten selected schools in Sana’a to increase awareness amongst school teachers as to the importance of child participation in the learning process. Moreover the teachers were instructed on the main concepts of the methodology.
In 2007 children participated in the project. The project aimed to contribute to raising awareness among teachers and students of the importance of the methodology ‘Child-to-Child’ in improving the lives of individuals and communities, and to encourage the participation of children and provide opportunities for the exploration and development of their skills. These included personal skills, children’s rights and improving community hygiene.
Encouraging children’s participation
The activities are introduced through several trainings sessions using different training methodologies; discussion, role-play, group work, drawings, sketch, etc…
During the implementing of these activities a version of the step approach is used. There are six steps:
- Determining and understanding the problem
- Searching for more facts
- Presenting and discussing
- Planning for the work
- Implementing the activities
- Evaluating and improving the conducted activities.
We introduce the activities through training, starting with personal skills to enhance them, express their ideas and encourage them to implement plans that serve the idea.
Health both in and out of school
Trained students developed their plans based on school needs, in order to help other students within the same school. The CtC activities are part of different components as follows:
- Teaching and learning: helping students in subjects such as Arabic language (reading and writing).
- Co-curricular activities: providing students with knowledge on: children rights, heath awareness, school health, violence against children, awareness of the consequences of school drop out.
- School life: forming students' council to solve students' problems and promote human rights.
- Links between schools and community: community members participated during the process of launching the project as well as with closing ceremonies. They showed their interest and support to the students and their activities.
Parents also participated during the process of launching the project as well as with the closing ceremonies. They showed their interest and support to the students and their activities. At home parents always shared knowledge and ideas with their children who were involved in the project. Parents demonstrated their satisfaction and happiness to see their children progress.
Monitoring and evaluation the activities
The trained teachers were responsible for monitoring the progress of CtC activities through observation, reviewing and discussing their assignments.
After each training an evaluation was done. Participants were asked to show their point of view regarding the training process. A SOUL coordinator later supervised and evaluated the progress of plans of those trained students.
Teachers and students got benefits through the project / program activities at different levels. For example students built greatly their self-confidence, by being deeper in thinking, by being more excited in helping others. Teachers understood more closely students’ needs and the importance of students’ participation in the education process.
How are CtC training requirements met?
Both teachers and children are given training in support of CtC activities. The trainers are from Child-to-Child Association which is located in Aden. These trainers received training in the CtC methodology through a program that was conducted by Rad'aa Barren.
The training topics are:
- Introduction to the Child-to-Child approach
- Learning 6 steps in CtC activities: plan development, participation principles, communications skills, learning from the young child, active method, evaluation, road safety, health and our environment.
Current work and future plans
At the beginning SOUL depended on Child-to-Child Association in Aden to train and supply the training materials. Currently SOUL is working together with UNICEF Yemen on the Child-to-Child Trust programme ‘Getting Ready for School’. This will enhance SOUL’s experience in the area of CtC and open new horizons.
Date: 2008
Source: SOUL for development
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