Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3079/-1/139/
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Peer Helper Programme Going Well
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A peer helper programme developed by the Anguilla Family Planning Association, in conjunction with the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation, is going well with young people assisting others in various aspects of sexual reproductive health. The project, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency, has been undertaken in a number of regional islands.
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Peer helpers flanked by Nurse Lynnette Rogers and Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake
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Here in Anguilla, there is a very active group of students at Campus B working with other classmates after having undergone some training conducted by the Family Planning Association. The name of the project, according to President of the Association, Dr. Bonnie Lake-Richardson, is FATE – Fighting AIDS Through Education.
“The idea is that young people learn best from other young people,” Dr. Lake-Richardson explained. “If you give them the skills to be able to talk with others when they have issues or questions about AIDS, and other sexual reproductive health matters, they could go to their peers who are trained in counseling, leadership skills and sexual reproductive health issues. It is a good learning experience for the peers themselves and it also gives back something to the entire school body.”
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Candis Smith and Seymourne Rogers
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One of the peer helpers is Seymourne Rogers, who spoke to The Anguillian about the training and her experience in counseling other students. “The training that was done by Dr. Linda Banks was very clear and so it is quite easy for us as peer helpers to address our peers and know how to deal with the situations they come to us with,“ she said.
Candice Smith, another peer helper, commented: “I feel okay talking to my friends and helping them with their problems. It makes me feel good about myself that I can help my peers.”