Aim :To reduce the vulnerability of young people in relation to Reproductive Health, Sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS in Bamako's Commune IV

Specific Objective:Build the capacity of 180 young leaders throguh training and refresher courses, regular support and supervision using peer education techniques and the STAR approach.

Principle activities:

• Meetings to discuss the issues with school, commune and health authorities
• Training for 180 Peer Educators (PE) in communication techniques
• Training for 60 teachers in reproductive health
• Monthly meetings for Peer Educators
• Organisation of project activities: discussion groups, counseling, home visits
• Organisation of conferences in partner establishments
• Organisation of social activitities
• Organisation of sports activities.

• Training and refresher courses for 240 young people in Education and Communication, Reproductive health and HIV/AIDS
• Training of project workers in the STAR approach
• Involvement of and support for decentralised state health, education and local government departments
• Encouragement for the project from head teachers, teachers, parents and local opinin leaders
• The introduction of the STAR approach by the project
• 180 young people trained as peer educators
• 60 peer edcuators provided with refresher training
• 60 teachers trained
• 30 mobilisation activities carried out
• 21 conferences organised
• 30 Film projections
• 150 young people refered to health centres by peer educators
• 50 young people went for testing for HIV/AIDS
• 19 872 awareness rasaing sessions
• 6160 counseling sessions
• 600 Home visits

STAR : Stepping Stones and Reflect is an approach becoming more widely used in development. The approach is a fusion of 2 approaches with basic principals as follows: HIV/AIDS is presented as a transversal theme across all domains of development as opposed to purely a health issue. Peer groups are enabled and encouraged to discuss and analyse sensitive issues and PRA (Participatory Rural Apraisal tools and graphics are used to facilitate this process.

• The concepts of peer education and reproductive health;
• Adolescent development and psychological, social and cultural changes;
• Male and female anatomy - genital organs and the menstrual cycle;
• Youth and sexuality;
• The causes and consequences of unwanted pregnancy and forced abortion;
• STIs and HIV/AIDS;
• Family planning;
• Negative pactices linked to reproductive health and their consequences;
• Youth and the use of toxic substances.