Botswana Teen Club

Facilitator Guidelines

Stigma

Younger Teens (13-15)

General Tips for Facilitating Small Groups

  • Explain any difficult concepts in simple terms, using Setswana when possible.
  • Reinforce concepts presented by the guest speakers.
  • Engage teens in conversations about the theme duringsmall group activities.
  • Encourage each teen to participate in the activity, at least once.
  • Ask any of the Teen Club staff or “rotating” adult leaders for assistance.

Materials Needed:

• Paper and Pens

• Flip chart paper with Teen Outline

•Instances of Stigma- Examples(APPENDIX B)

• Sticky notes

Objectives:

Upon completion of this unit, participants will be able to:

• Identify causes of stigma most often faced by HIV positive adolescents

•Feel prepared to overcome instances of stigma they may face

I.Adherence Lecture/Icebreaker 0900-0930

After an Icebreaker activity, present a brief talk on the importance of adherence. Following the talk, the younger and older teens will split into two groups.

  1. Thinking about Stigma 0930-0950
    Peer Educator will lead a “hand-raising response session” where she will ask questions about how the teens feel about coming to the clinic, taking medicine, etc.
  2. Stigma: From Outside and Within 0950-1030

Younger Teens will break into groups depending on the number of teens and volunteers. A volunteer will take each group to their assigned area and ask one of the teens to read the attached instructions (Appendix A). After the instructions are read, the volunteer will give a demonstration using the body outline and the two “Instances of Stigma- Examples” (APPENDIX B), one for an externally created stigma and one for an internally created stigma. They will then discuss with their group each instance ofstigma and whether they stem from outside or within, posting the stigma where it belongs on the drawing (inside or outside of the body outline). Groups will then return to the larger groupwith their posted stigma examplesto discuss their work with the larger group and the CEYOHO representatives or other guest speakers, if available.

1V. Defeating Stigma 1030-1130

Teens will reunite and exhibit their outlines. Guest speaker from CEYOHO or an adult volunteer will review the listed instances of stigma and lead a discussion on which are within and which are beyond our control. Discussion will continue related to overcoming stigma experiences, no matter what the sources.

V.Above Stigma: Letters to HIV & Stigma 1130-1200
Teens will find a quiet spot to reflect about what the group had discussed and take time to write a letter to HIV and why they do not have to fear the stigma it creates.

VII. Transport Money Distribution & Lunch___ 1200-1300

Dev: 5/11

APPENDIX A

Stigma: From Outside and Within - Directions

For 15-20 minutes, work together in groups to identify and write down the different sources of stigmas you know, have heard about, or, imagine exists. After you have identified all the examples of stigma you can,take eachstigma example and discuss whether it comes from within ourselves or from an outside source(such as within the family, community, school, etc.). When identified, post it on the body outline drawing either inside the body for a stigma you feel about yourself or outside the body if it comes from a source outside yourself. Be ready to join the full group by 1030.

APPENDIX B

Instances of Stigma- Examples

Facilitators- Write the examples of stigma on sticky notes and ask the teens to say whether they think it is an instance of stigma that comes from within them or from an outside source (example-happens at school). Then post the notes in the appropriate place on the drawing.

Examples:

  1. When classmates find out you are HIV-positive and stop inviting you to eat with them at school. (External Stigma – placed on the edge of the paper)
  1. When you want to tell your cousin why you are going to Teen Club but you are afraid he/she might treat you differently (Stigma from within – placed within the outline of the person)

NOTE TO FACILITATORS: If teens are not coming up with ideas, suggest that they begin thinking about what happens at school, how they feel coming to the clinic, taking their medicine when others are around, hearing people talk about HIV in public, HIV in the media or on posters, etc.

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