Youth Ambassadors for Healthy Adolescent Lifestyle

Teenagers of Rizal, Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines have become ambassadors of promoting healthy adolescent lifestyle—reaching some 1,100 students, plus out-of-school youth from various communities in this rural town.

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Campaign materials used by the group

They organized themselves into the Youth Peer Educators (YPE) and engage in various information campaigns against substance abuse, student riots, teenage pregnancy, early marriage and other unhealthy adolescent lifestyle.

YPE started on with 10 members trained on adolescent sexuality and reproductive health (ASRH), life skills and healthy lifestyle, basic first aid and domestic violence. Today, the group has grown to 35 and caters to both in-and-out-of-school youth. The group has also grown both in reach and numbers with 14 schools in four partner municipalities having established their own YPE groups.

YPE engage in community outreach activities including symposia, film showing and peer counseling. Established teen centers serve as YPE offices equipped with some basic facilities. Occasionally, they get invited to speak in youth seminars and facilitate in social activities in school and the community. They also attend national and international ASRH conferences to share their experiences.

Although no research has yet been conducted, community residents agree that the incidence of substance abuse, cases of teenage pregnancy and early marriage have been minimized. They added that with YPE, awareness about children’s rights and healthy adolescent lifestyle has likewise increased.

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

YPE members in one of the sessions

In May 2002, YPE Rizal was chosen as one of the Most Outstanding Children’s Organization from among the hundreds of children’s associations organized through Plan Philippines.

With this, Jonathan, outgoing YPE President says, “Big thanks to Plan for opening venues for children to participate, providing capability building activities and molding me as child leader. Joining YPE enhanced my knowledge, skills, and attitudes on adolescent threats. I became more confident and effective in educating my fellow youth about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. It is a joy to help them overcome the problems they encounter.”