The Adara Youth Community Centre (AYCC) provides support to adolescents through sexual and reproductive health education and services including family planning, counselling, life skills training, and connection with health services
It also provides community outreach, working closely with schools, parents and local leaders. These services are available to young people aged 10 to 24.
COVID-19 led to many challenges for young people and children. Lockdowns and school closures resulted in a growing pattern of domestic violence targeting children at home. Several reports from the government showed an increase in child marriages, sexual assault and teenage pregnancies. The AYCC addresses these issues, providing youth with support to lead happy and healthy lives.
How the Adara Youth Community Centre (AYCC) works
Peer and Social Worker support
A qualified Social Worker oversees the AYCC, providing counselling and support to youth and their families. They are assisted by Peer Educators – young people who have been trained on topics including healthy relationships, life skills, family planning and youth rights.
Clinical services
To connect youth with Kiwoko Hospital’s services, the AYCC provides services including HIV/AIDS testing, and antenatal and postnatal care. The centre also facilitates group antenatal care for adolescent mothers. These services are provided by health workers stationed at the AYCC.
Health education
The AYCC involves outreach to 24 schools in the area through regular school visits. During these visits, Peer Educators provide talks on informative topics designed to equip students with the knowledge to make informed health decisions.
Community outreach
The AYCC team visit villages surrounding the centre. Their goal is to provide parents and community and religious leaders with basic knowledge to support their adolescents.
Youth activities
To entertain young people and support them to build their skills, the AYCC also provides a safe space for youth to engage in social and learning activities. These include chess, boardgames, netball, football and basketball.
Service focus areas
- General counselling and guidance
- HIV/AIDS counselling and testing
- Antenatal and postnatal care, including group care
- Hepatitis B screening and vaccination
- Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
- Post abortion care and counselling
- Youth friendly services
- Community empowerment
- Life skills and recreational activities
Meet Sarah: Support to lead a happy, healthy life
When Sarah was 17 years old, life as she knew it came to a halt. COVID-19 entered the world, plunging communities into lockdowns and closing schools’ doors. Like many other young people during this time, Sarah fell pregnant.
Fortunately, she learnt about the Adara Youth Community Centre during her pregnancy. There, she received counselling and antenatal care.
Today Sarah has a healthy baby and has even returned to school. Her dream? To become a doctor.
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