Reproductive health classes: 450 urban poor teens

Dear Friends and Supporters,

A lot has happened since this project has launched.  We are well on our way to achieving our goal of 450 teens, empowered to take charge of their health and tackle the challenges they face. Our approach is holistic, simultaneously addressing the school and family ecosystem that support the healthy development of teenage students thereby putting multiple future generations of teenagers on the path towards thriving.

IMMEDIATE BENEFIT TO STUDENTS

Between October 2024 and May 2025, Bina Berdaya Bangsa team collaborated with 4 different schools in a poor, urban setting to provide face-to-face reproductive health education to 185 students in Class 5-6 over 5 sessions and 132 students in Class 4 over 2 sessions.  Each session lasted 60-90 minutes during which students learned through a combination of short lectures, games, songs, group discussions, and a safe Q&A time.  The local Grade 4-6 teachers delivered at least a portion of the material, accompanied and supported by Bina Berdaya Bangsa.

In each of the 4 schools, students Grades 4-6 took a test, before and after the session to assess their level of understanding about physical changes during puberty, boundaries, and healthy decision-making.  Test results demonstrated an increase in the number of students possessing good understanding.  The amount of increase varied from marginal to significant.  Learning was further reinforced outside the classroom through reflective activities as homework. Completion of activities was monitored by the teacher and parents.

STRENGTHENING THE ECOSYSTEM FOR LONG TERM IMPACT

During July 2025, school principals and teachers of all grade levels participated in a one-time “Training of the Trainers” that was conducted face-to-face in each of the four schools.  Within 1.5-2 hours, teachers were led through a series of interactive activities aimed at:

• raising awareness of the pressing issues faced by teenagers
• capturing the vision of school as a safe place for teenagers
• owning their role as trusted guides to teenagers as they face real challenges
• building the teachers’ confidence and ability to deliver reproductive health curriculum

While the focus of the project intervention is the school, the reach of the project extends to the parents as parents have the biggest influence in the development of teenagers.  In the coming months [months?], the 4 schools will hold their usual annual back-to-school meeting with parents.  The vision of the reproductive health education program will be introduced to the parents during these meetings.  This is a seminal step in the school, as an institution, owning and implementing the vision of the reproductive health education program.

Thank you, readers and supporters for taking an interest in empowering these teenagers whose life trajectories are often shaped during this time.  Will you join us in helping us continue to build an environment in which teenagers are equipped and more likely to be safe and thrive?