Education India Project #42451

Train 5,500 Indian youth as peer health leaders

by Adolescent Health Champions, Inc.

Summary

Gender inequality is widespread in India and impacts the health and educational outcomes of its over 240 million adolescent youth. AHC will train 5,500 Indian youth as peer health educators, or "Champions," in 55 low-income schools in India. These Champions will then provide over 60,000 of their classmates the critical health education and support they need to thrive in adolescence, covering topics like menstruation, mental health, sexual & reproductive health, nutrition, and COVID-19.

$45,000
total goal

$20,229
remaining

296
donors

1
monthly donor

10
fundraisers

1
year

Challenge

India has the world's largest adolescent population with over 240 million youth. Social pressures & gender inequality make adolescent girls particularly vulnerable to health and educational consequences. Due to societal, cultural, and religious taboos, the health education required to overcome these challenges is often poorly taught or completely missing during in-school education. As a result, millions of youth suffer an unacceptable burden of health and educational consequences into adulthood.

Solution

Our award-winning organization, Adolescent Health Champions (f.k.a Girls Health Champions), uses an innovative, evidence-based peer education model to cultivate a network of youth health educators ("Champions") in low-income schools across India. We capitalize on the voice and leadership potential of our youth, empowering them as central actors in their own health and well-being. Our Champions lead the educational process & share crucial health information in their schools and communities.

Long-Term Impact

This project will train a network of 5,500 Indian adolescents as emerging health leaders. These Champions will then provide essential health education to 60,000 youth across 55 low-income schools in India in health topics that matter most to adolescents, including menstruation, mental health, sexual & reproductive health, nutrition & anemia, and COVID-19. Our Champions are the next generation of health leaders shaping positive health attitudes + outcomes and inter-generational change!