Teen Peer Education in Mali

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mali continues its climb past 2,000, Teen Peer HIV Education is essential. As stated in previous reports, there are students (mostly girls) in this program that are not enrolled in school. Because schools in Mali have been shut down since March, Teen Peer HIV Education is one of the main sources  of consistent education for these students. 

According to the United Nations Office of Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs, more than 3.8 million Malian children have been forced out of school because of COVID-19. This compounds pre-existing factors which have prematurely pushed other children out of school, such as conflict and economic circumstances. The same source reports that, “one fourth of the Malian population depends on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs.” 

GAIA’s Teen Peer HIV Education program provides stability that is necessary during this time. Students gain an opportunity for education that is not available elsewhere at the moment. The program provides invaluable information on taking care of oneself and making informed decisions in the interest of preserving one’s health. Resources such as condoms and free HIV testing are just as important as they always have been. Additionally, food is provided at this program. This is a vital resource at a time when food insecurity is commonplace and many are dealing with economic hardship. Finally, GAIA’s Teen Peer HIV Education program provides a stable and welcoming environment. Given the spread of the pandemic, these social benefits are extremely important. Weekly sessions are a possible refuge from unstable home lives, or at the very least an opportunity to connect with others of a similar age. 

Donations to GAIA will help to support and expand the Teen Peer HIV Education program and other work that GAIA does. We hope to do all that we can to continue sharing important information about HIV with teens, as well as providing a welcoming environment and resources for community members.

A month and a half since the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Mali, there are now 730 cases and 40 deaths in the country. COVID-19 has impacted life across the globe, from metropolitan cities to rural areas. As communities shut down to prevent the spread of this lethal virus, schools across the world have closed and education has suffered, particularly for those whom remote learning is not an option. 

In Mali, all schools closed in March in favor of pupils staying at home with families. While this measure may be necessary to prevent further spread of COVID-19, many students may never return to school, especially girls. 

The Teen Peer Education program at Hope Center Clinic continues to operate during these times and is more critical than ever in providing education to teenagers when they may not be able to learn in the classroom. In April, 100 adolescent girls and boys attended the program. 

GAIA VF is working to implement telemedicine at Hope Center Clinic which would keep patients out of the clinic while maintaining communication with their doctors. If funding for telemedicine and expanded internet bandwidth becomes available, the Teen Peer Education would be able to move online by providing phone cards to teens to be able to “Zoom” into these weekly sessions and participate remotely. A donation to GAIA VF through GlobalGiving can help make e-learning a reality for Malian teenagers. 

Thank you for your support to GAIA VF!