Muslim youth peer educators have been challenged to have self-esteem to accomplish their goals.
Mai Aisha Sisters Youth Aids Programme (MASYAP) coordinator sister Marriam Khan Ali said this in Blantyre at training workshop for Muslim youth peer educators.
In an exclusive interview with Malawi Muslims Official Website, Khan said many Muslims underrate themselves a thing that makes them not to have passion to achieve anything.
“The fight against HIVAIDS lies in the hands of youth. As MASYAP, we believe youth are the windows of hope. The main objective of the training was to build capacity for the peer educators in order for them to have confidence in themselves to motivate fellow Muslim youth to take part in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” she said.
She further said MASYAP is working harder hoping to achieve a free HIV Muslim community.
Harvey Chimaliro Executive Director for Concerned Youth Organization who was the main facilitator at the training said youth are leaders of tomorrow therefore, they need to be drilled now on self esteem.
“It is important that they must have this knowledge and know how to handle it as peer educators and impart to their fellow Muslim youth because that is the only way they can take a lead in development,” said Chimaliro.
Shaffie Dyton, 22, Chairperson for Swabilina Youth group based in Mbayani thanked MASYAP for organising the workshop saying he is now able to balance up his mind and promised to encourage his fellow Muslim youth.
He also bemoaned the tendency of other youth who shun youth meetings saying they lose a lot.
“Previously l did not know that HIV can be transmitted through other ways apart from sexual intercourse before l started participating in youth meetings,” he said.
Shereen Edina Kananji of Swaliheena Institute for Muslim Affairs in Bangwe also said that it is important for Muslim youth to take a lead in the fight against HIVAIDS because the pandemic has affected each sector of the society regardless of tribe and religion.
“The impact of these trainings are huge in the sense that those of us who did know much on various issues that affects the youth are now able to teach others,” said Kananji.
She added that the same way parents advise their children to take care of their lives they do the same in encouraging fellow Muslim youth to know their status in order to plan for their future properly.
