Educate teenagers about sexual health in Bolivia

“Many people ask me: ¿why am I volunteer?

6 years ago, I started volunteering at Instituto para el Desarrollo Humano IDH Bolivia.

In these years I have learned so much that I find no better answer to say that volunteeringIt’s more than find people and friends who have the same interests to help.It’s more than giving little or a lot of your time on activities for the benefit of the other.It’s more than a social commitment, a personal commitment to support, give and provide help without expecting anything in return. In August this year, I participated in the ExpoSida - EXPOVIDA, a big information fair organized by IDH, in Cochabamba, Bolivia. We are more than 150 young volunteers talking to other young people about how to prevent HIV / AIDS, violence and consume of drugs. I can say it's like we speak the same language, with questions, answers between games and laughter. I think we are a part of the mistakes and solutions of the country. We can all make a difference with actions and not just words. That’s why I’m a volunteer”. Because Volunteering is: “be the change you expect to see in the world” (Ghandi) 

El Voluntariado como el cambio que esperas ver en el mundo.

Muchas personas me preguntan: ¿por qué soy voluntaria?

Hace 6 años comencé a ser voluntaria en el Instituto para el Desarrollo.

En estos años he aprendido tanto que no encuentro mejor respuesta que decir que ser voluntario es más que:

Encontrar personas y amigos que tienen los mismos intereses de ayudar.
Es más que dar poco o mucho de tu tiempo en realizar actividades en beneficio del otro.
Es más que un compromiso social, un compromiso personal para apoyar, dar y brindar ayuda sin esperar nada a cambio. En Agosto de este año, participé de la ExpoSida-ExpoVida, una gran feria informativa organizada por el IDH, en Cochabamba-Bolivia. Somos más de 150 jóvenes voluntarios hablando con otros jóvenes, sobre cómo prevenir el VIH/Sida, la violencia y el consumo de drogas. Puedo decir que es como si habláramos en el mismo idioma, con preguntas, respuestas entre juegos y risas.
Pienso que todos somos parte de los errores y soluciones del país. Todos podemos hacer la diferencia con acciones y no solo palabras. Por eso soy voluntaria. Porque el Voluntariado es:“Ser el cambio que esperas ver en el mundo” (Ghandi)

How can I recognize the aggressor?
What if I don´t feel safe returning home?
What if my child is alone at home when I am working?
What can I do to protect my daughters from violence?

These are the questions women in Quillacollo have.

Our sexual prevention project consists of 30 minute sessions with parents and it usually takes place in the evening. We promote positive involvement from the family when it comes to sexual violence prevention so that they can comfortably talk about this subject with their children. We have the most attendance from mothers who come with their babies and younger children.

Due to the increasing sexual violence cases, at the beginning of the sessions parents feel anxious because they sometimes feel like they will be blamed for not protecting their children enough.

We focus on the prejudices and false perceptions of the aggressors, which we later also do with their children.

Another focus is the importance of communication with their children. How well do you know your child? Who are their best friends? Did you tell your child you loved them today?

At the beginning of the sessions, parents get impatient and want it to end soon. However, once we begin showing them videos, present them with possible danger situations, and tools to protect their children they don´t want the session to end.

For each session parents receive a prize (recyclable bags, posters, and postcards) that promote participation. This spreads the message of sexual violence prevention between schools, family, and Instituto para el Desarrollo Humano.