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WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

 Promoting adolescents’ health, development and welfare has been a passion for a long time before establishing ESAM. The Egyptian Family Health Society (EFHS) started these activities in 1999:

  • University-based Reproductive Health Education to University students all-over the country. More than 360 rallies were conducted attended by more than 25000 students, (1999-2010)
  • School-based RH health education: First, conducting seminars in 10 governorates for the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (2006 – 2007) then a national project covering 24 governorates, reaching 450,000 students, through 9600 seminars (2010 – 2016). Evaluation of the project indicated positive impact on knowledge and attitudes.
  • The project included a component for training teachers to be able and willing to provide interactive RH education to students; 280 teachers have been trained (2010 – 2016).
  • As part of the project also; groups of Health Leaders were selected from students from different schools and trained to conduct health promoting initiatives in their schools and communities. Twenty two groups were formed each containing 5-6 students. They showed fascinating innovative activities.
  • Editing a RH manual targeting youth who are getting married for USA/AID (2002).
  • Editing a series of health education booklets for school students for USA/AID (2003).
  • Establishing and operating a youth health hotline; initially supported by USA/AID then UNFPA then Ford Foundation (2004 – 2016). Counseling was provided by trained male and female physicians. Used to receive average 40 calls a day.
  • Establishing and operating 9 youth-friendly clinics in the Teaching Hospitals of the Ministry of Health (2006 – 2008). Also established and operated a youth-friendly clinic within the campus of Assiut University and similar one in the campus of Suez Canal University; all supported by UNFPA. (2011-2016).
  • Capacity building of physicians has been going on through the years (2004 – 2015) in order to motivate and train young physicians from all governorates to:
    • Provide counseling through the youth health hotline.
    • Be able to conduct Rh awareness seminars in schools in 24 governorates.
  • EFHS conducted a unique study of the reproductive health beliefs and practices among young Bedouin population; both males and females, in all Sinai, the Western Desert and Siwa. (2012)
  • The Society edited and presented a weekly entertaining youth health education program in the Second channel of the national television. The program was entitled “Sehetak ya Shabab” (2012 – 2015). Awarded a trophy from NCCM.
  • Empowering rural girls aged 18 – 24 years members of “Girls’ Clubs” of the Ministry of Youth in 10 governorates by conducting interactive RH awareness workshops addressing gender-based violence and fertility intentions. (2013 – 2015)
  • Advocating for enhancing school health that resulted in including a “Health” component within the organogram of the Ministry of Education. The Minister of Education also issued a decree for banning fizzy drinks and other harmful food in school canteens upon request of the Society. Only few private schools responded! (2015)
  • EFHS also advocated to introduce health education issues in school curriculum, and worked with the Curriculum Development Center of the MOE to produce an official document containing the needed topics to be included. (2015)

ENHANCING LIFE SKILLS:

A series of workshops were organized to enhance life skills for groups of adolescents utilizing the edutainment approach:

Adolescence is the most important phase of life for shaping up the future of both individuals and nations. Once these young people are given the opportunity to attain their full potential, they grow up as responsible citizens and future parents. Adolescents represent our future as well as our present. Fostering the conditions for the healthy development of adolescents and enhancing their health should be a national priority that will set the base for one of the foundations of the nation’s future and achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Adolescents are self-centered by nature. How they look and what people think about them is a major concern for these young individuals. Their self-image and self-esteem are created mainly through other people’s comments, looks and hints. Since the self is probably their main concern; self-image has significant impact on building self-confidence and the ability to make sound decisions. It also affects his relations with parents, peers and the other sex. Once adolescents feel appreciated and applauded, they excel and produce remarkable innovation.


The Egyptian Society for Adolescent Medicine (ESAM) has had a very rewarding experience in collaborating with UNESCO regional bureau in Cairo and the National Commission for UNESCO in organizing interesting events celebrating the creativity of Egyptian adolescents aged 10 – 19.

First edition: on December 9th, 2018 and the Second was on December 7th, 2019. Over 300 adolescents from UNESCO Associated Schools and the Ministry of Youths and Sports participated in each event. Other participants included students’ families, senior staff from the relevant Ministries and media figures. The event aimed at bringing together adolescents from Cairo and Giza governorates and providing them with a platform to showcase their artistic talents, whether in signing, playing musical instruments, acting, reciting poetry, and drawing. UNESCO has produced a documentary film about the 2018 event.   
   

UNESCO AFFILIATED SCHOOLS, OCTOBER 6TH, GIZA

Organized by the National Committee for Culture & Science
December 16th, 2017

AL KHAMSA PREPARATORY SCHOOL, DAKAHLIA

January 9th, 2018

VICTORIA COLLEGE, MAADI, CAIRO

February 3trd, 2018

UNESCO AFFILIATED SCHOOLS, OCTOBER 6th, GIZA

Organized by the National Committee for Culture & Science
November 26th, 2018