“I was among the young people chosen to be trained as Peer Educators and I am proud of it. I was trained how to be myself and not just follow other people. Now I gained my respect back and everybody loves me for that.”

Sarah Hady Nsiigare, Peer Educator, runs a counseling session at SAFY's Youth Centre.

Peer Educators

When SAFY first assessed the needs of young people in Kitamanyangamba slum, Kampala, we found that they were living with terrible deprivation and were prone to risky behaviour, such as unprotected sex and drug abuse.

Through our needs assessment, we learned that the community had a school dropout rate of 80 per cent, 40 per cent of young people aged 15 and over were using drugs, and there were high levels of crime, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease, including HIV/AIDS.

In order to tackle these problems, SAFY first identified and recruited local young people who had the potential to become community leaders. We gave them training in life skills, counselling and sex education.

Now the young leaders form a network of SAFY Peer Educators. They carry out regular door-to-door visits, organise and run the Centre's activities and offer a drop-in counselling service. They drive our organisation forward while supporting and influencing their peers, helping to fulfil our vision of a healthier and happier community.

You can make a difference

Make a donation to support young people living in Kitamanyangamba slum.

Find out more about the issues faced by young people living in Kitamanyangamba slum. Download SAFY's Needs Assessment Report (792KB pdf)