Vijana Life skills Model 1
In 2011, AVSI Foundation developed Vijana life skills model targeting adolescents and youths under the USAID Funded Sustainable Comprehensive Responses for Vulnerable Children and their families (SCORE) program households. 6,974 adolescents selected from 4,447 households were trained. Aware that adolescence is a stage filled with excitement, new feelings, many unanswered questions, changes, and difficult choices, the Vijana life skills Model was considered an essential package in helping the youth make informed decisions and cope with the challenges and their eventual transition to adulthood. 2
The Vijana Life skills Model was piloted and later on validated through an independent study conducted in partnership with Makerere University. Following the study that confirmed that the Vijana life skills model empowers adolescents to understand who they are, appreciate where they are going, better manage their challenges and consequently adopt positive behavior AVSI expanded her work using the Vijana model in both the humanitarian and development settings and has since been able to reach at least 12,000 adolescents. Life Skill Training Knowing myself Poor psychosocial wellbeing Poor communication skills Broken, strained and weak relationships
Relationships Coping with Emotions Passive, Aggressive and Assertive behaviour Growing up
Poor decision making skills
Communication
Lack of confidence
Decision Making Substance Abuse Reaching my goals and dreams
RESILIENCE
Overall, the Vijana life skills training has had varied positive changes on the lives of adolescents including; improved character (manners), better communication skills, improved relationships between youth and their parents/caregivers and other family members, a reduction in school drop-out and an increase among youth re-joining school in addition to better self-care.
In June 2016, AVSI Foundation through Makerere University conducted a study to validate this hypothesis. The study was aimed to ascertain if the Vijana Life skills Model was a stimulant to adolescent (youth aged 12-24 years) behavior change. 10 out of the 35 SCORE districts were included in the sample. The study assessed selected behavioral outcomes including; social, psychological and emotional wellbeing indicators. The evaluation employed a comparison control group design and collected both qualitative and quantitative data. A total of 713 youth (349 from intervention and 364 from control areas) participated in the survey. Results revealed that 78% adolescents (n=349) from the intervention areas identified at least more than one life skill, compared to only 13% from the control area (n=364). The youth in the intervention area were particularly more knowledgeable about skills such as; having good social manners (or relating well with others), building friendships, self-awareness, having self-esteem, being assertive and coping with stress. Results from the t-test indicated that the differences between the average score in relationship building from the intervention and control group were significant from zero (intervention= 49.27, Control 48.56, diff 0.712, p= 0.0316). Youth in intervention areas reported more self-restraint and showing remorse and building positive relationships [1] Vijana” is a Swahili word for adolescents. [2] AVSI Foundation 2013: “Vijana Life skills Model; Facilitator’s Manual” AVSI Foundation is a nongovernmental Organization founded in Italy in 1972. Its mission is to carry out cooperation projects for development with particular emphasis on education. AVSI focuses on the defense and promotion of the dignity of the person, the cornerstone of every project.