The Life Skills approach, which shapes the educational work within the programme, is based on promoting positive behaviour change in the long term. Programme participants are trained over a period of one year through regular life skills sessions to understand the links between addiction, HIV, discrimination and (gender-based) violence, and to question their own behaviour. Through active “self-learning” and under the guidance of trained life skills facilitators, the youth acquire everyday life skills that protect them from addiction, disease, violence and peer pressure.

The programme targets youths in and out of schools, such as street children, young workers and teenage mothers but also their parents and community members. The Life Skills programme was launched in Chad in 2010 and was followed by the Republic of Congo in 2013. Based on the experience gained in these countries, the programme’s activities were extended and adapted to Togo in 2018 and Tanzania in 2020.

Life Skills

In the weekly Life Skills trainings, qualified trainers of the Blue Cross help participants to develop self-esteem, self-awareness and decision-making skills. In the training sessions young people acquire better communication skills and learn to resolve conflicts peacefully. The Life Skills sessions empower the youths emotionally, socially and economically by capacitating them to solve problems and deal with difficulties in their lives. Saying “no” to alcohol and drugs is an important part of that.

Furthermore, programme activities focus on HIV/AIDS infections as a possible consequence of alcohol and drug consumption and motivate students to reflect on gender equality in an environment where patriarchal norms are prevalent and violence against women and girls is widely accepted. The training is based on active ‘self-learning’ to enable personal development. Each participant enrols for one school year in the Life Skills programme, attending the sessions on a weekly basis.

Workshops are also held with parents and teachers to reduce the risk of substance use and increase awareness about the related issues. They learn how to best protect young people from harm caused by substance use, and how to bring about sustainable behaviour change. For example, parents and teachers are shown non-violent parenting methods that focuses on dialogue with children (positive discipline).

Finally, the projects have put in place referral mechanisms for victims of violence or substance abuse, who offer professional medical, psychological and legal care in case of need. Girls Support group for survivors of gender-based violence help young girls talk about their experiences and break the culture of silence that exists around these topics in many countries. In addition, IBC actively engages men and boys in the journey towards gender equality.

Peer Education

Selected participants have the possibility to be trained as Peer Educators, who pass on what they have learnt in the Life Skills sessions to other youth – their peers. Peer Education is based on role modelling and the ability of young people to become leaders and agents of change through empowerment and support. By leading regular meetings and activities with other young people, Peer Educators act as multipliers nurturing the development of social and interpersonal competencies. This way, sustainable healthy behavioural patterns are being formed within communities of young people.

Involvement of decision makers

In parallel, the Blue Cross coordinates closely with local authorities, religious leaders and the media. IBC involves parents and community leaders in order to limit young people’s access to alcohol and other drugs and to reduce the risk of substance abuse. Awareness campaigns about the dangers associated with alcohol and drug use at recreational facilities, churches and within the community are being carried out regularly.