SAfAIDS SAM4SRHR Model capacity strengthening component transcribed into Virtual Learning Spaces
The period of July-September 2020 will go down in SAfAIDS history as one of the most exciting knowledge sharing periods it has experienced. This was due to the adoption of new approach of knowledge, skills and confidence building using virtual platforms – as necessitated by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic disrupted operations, in physical format we ‘knew best’, it motivated the SAfAIDS team to embrace the digital front creatively and to swiftly maintain momentum and continuity in its development efforts across the region.
An example of this was transcribing the previous physically delivered capacity strengthening component of the SAfAIDS Social Accountability Monitoring for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SAM4SRHR) Model, into virtual delivery mediums. SAfAIDS hosted a 3-week OnlineCourse, through a pilot 3-week online Course on SAM4SRHR specific to Adolescents and Young People’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The Course capacitated young people with tools and skills on how to generate, analyse and present evidence using SAM methodology, and translate this evidence into advocacy actions for AYSRHR and strengthening Public Resource Management processes towards provision of youth-friendly SRH services.
The Course received both regional and international interest, drawing over 400 expressions ofinterest within 72 hours of advertising. It was designed and delivered via Google Classroom, to the first cohort of applicant youth from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius,South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Learners gained effective skills to track Stateaccountability in delivery of HIV and SRH services, preparing them to mobilize advocacymovements of adolescents and young people within their respective countries to monitor and compliment government efforts to deliver quality, relevant, affordable SRH services, while advocating attainment of universal health coverage (UHC) targets. The Course applied a mix of synchronous and asynchronous means of knowledge transfer and exchange process; enabling the young participants to engage with the learning tools at their own pace, yet within a timely space. Facilitators utilized a complement of audio-visual aids, handouts, auditory-instructional facilitation and conversational dialogue in the live learning sessions; and an WhatsApp group was established for the cohort of learners to maintain momentum in learning stages.
“This Course gave me a wider picture on SAM, especially for sexual and reproductive Health. I now have bigger knowledge, and it will give me informedpower on my advocacy implementation activities” – Godlove Mwasamila, Tanzania
“I am definitely going to share this information with my colleagues and other young people so that we all are able to question decisions made onbehalf of us on SRH issues” – Brenda Musabeka, Zimbabwe
SAfAIDS and its partners will continue to offer the Online SAM4AYSRHR Course, contributing to closing skills and capability gaps, which now – more than before, require closing as SRHR is being pushed-back amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on joining the Course get in touch on chido@safaids.net or adolf@safaids.net
To learn more about this innovativeSAfAIDS initiative get in touch with us on: info@safaids.net
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