Giving young people a chance

Giving young people a chance in life

When Daniel Frazer Jaji was 16, he saw things amongst his friends he did not like. He had dropped out of school in Form II because his parents could not afford to pay fees. But Daniel knew that given a chance he would help check drug abuse and teenage pregnancies in his community.

“Where I come from (Jarabuni division of Ganze District, Coast Province, Kenya) there were many people my age taking drugs and having unprotected sex.  A lot of girls in my class were dropping out of school because they got pregnant. I wanted to do something about is but I felt I had no voice,” says Daniel.

In 2007, then aged 17, Daniel got his chance.

“My local chief told me that SCOPE were recruiting for peer educators or Ambassadors of Change who could help make a difference in their community using their talents.  I knew I was good at singing, poetry and acting so I asked for a chance to perform.”

Daniel performed for SCOPE and the community and was given an opportunity to prove that he could perform on his own. He was  recruited and ever since, has been educating his peers about positive living.

Daniel continues:

“When I started, I set-up a group —the Big Family Group — with 15 other friends.  We used rap, dance and theatre to educate the community on drug abuse and HIV/AIDS.  Rhoda (SCOPEs Youth Coordinator) gave us the confidence and helped to enter a drama festival sponsored by USAIDAPHIA II.  We won first prize for rap at district level and the second for public speaking.”

“The Big Family Group is now 30 members, many of whom are girls who want return to school to continue their studies and avoid early marriage. We also have two members who are reformed drug abusers and three orphans. ”

“We are well known in the community … delivering messages against drug abuse and the rights of young people.  I see big changes in people’s behaviour because of our work”

“SCOPE’s Peer Educator Programme have given me the skills and confidence to show my potential.  Now, I received sponsorship and I am back in schools in Form 3 and will finish my studies. My ambition is to become a lawyer.”

Lyrics from Rap written* & performed by The Big Family Group

“HIV is Dangerous

Please lets me careful

If we pretend to be clever about it

We’ll be in a mess,

You, you will be in a mess (X3)”

*With the help of Rhoda Ngaira, SCOPE Youth Coordinator.

SCOPE have trained 201  of Youth Peer educators who work extensively in the community to encourage change of risky behaviour.  As well as helping the community stay healthy, Peer Education also helps the youth express themselves, demand their rights to education as well as been given confidence to develop into well-balanced adults.