By working with and through young people, SPW empowers the next generation to act as catalysts for change in their own communities. Young people are not only the target audience of SPW’s programs but also our most effective resource.

Peer education Why we target young people:

• Rural youth in many developing countries have little or no access to information regarding their health and environment.
• Young people are the most vulnerable to HIV. New infection rates are higher in young people than in any other group.
• Young people need to be at the heart of development. Building youth leadership creates long-term empowerment of local communities and enhances effective social change.

Why young people implement our programs:

• Young people listen and respond better to guidance and advice offered by people of their own age.
• Young people can effectively confront issues that teachers and parents find difficult.
• Young people can effectively make information accessible and appealing to a young audience using various media, including sport, drama, workshops, festivals and debates.
• In countries of high youth unemployment, volunteers are able to gain valuable training and work experience as well as increased confidence and skills.
• Young people are willing to live and work in rural communities for extended periods of time, necessary for building strong relationships with youth.

Non-formal education SPW's unique approach:

• SPW volunteers are trained to use interactive and non-formal teaching methods that involve in and out-of-school youth.
• SPW volunteers engage whole communities in awareness-raising activities, such as large-scale health days or inter-school soccer games.
• SPW volunteers build relationships with young people and encourage them to talk openly about sensitive and taboo health issues such as HIV and AIDS.
• SPW builds life skills, such as leadership and self-esteem that empower young people to change their behavior.

Long-term commitment to development: capacity building

• SPW works in communities for 3 to 5 years during which time the capacity of youth groups, community groups and teachers is built so that programs initiated by SPW volunteers can continue to operate after SPW is no longer active in the community. SPW...
• Gives new skills and opportunities to the next generation of young people.
• Links directly to national strategies and implements programs in partnership with governments, which can replicate and establish these programs on a larger scale.
• Builds the capacity of schools and other service providers to use non-formal education and implement youth-led programs.