Sexual Education

Aim

The aim of this program is to raise awareness and promote healthy sexuality in the CENIT population, with special attention to the vocational high school students (RV). The vast majority of these students come from impoverished and difficult homes where sex and sexuality are not discussed. These factors combined with a culture steeped in catholic and "machista" values produces an ignorance about sex and sexuality that CENIT’s sexual education program strives to alleviate. Reproductive awareness and disease prevention are an important part of the sexual education curriculum. The program attempts to include all relevant aspects of sexuality together with the physical, emotional and psychological issues specific to the CENIT population.

Project Information

The main duty of this program is teaching the sexual education classes at the vocational high school. The school is split into five different classes, each receiving one forty minute block of sex education a week. Planning and bookwork are also a large part of the duties, and the teacher is expected to attend all staff meetings. The program also includes participation in the Bio-Psico-Social meetings held twice a month, which serve to call attention to and resolve issues with individuals in need of special consideration in the CENIT community. Participation in the parent’s school is also a responsibility of the program. This entails helping the psychologist to plan and give talks twice a month to the parents of the CENIT families about pertinent issues and improving their parenting skills. The sexual education program can also include working with the clinic, working in the markets and any other programs at CENIT to help promote healthy sexuality.

The sexual education program is not operational this year but we hope to bring it back with the new school year. 

Volunteer Requirements

Anyone wishing to work in this position must have a high functioning level of Spanish (upper-intermediate to advanced). Equally important is a passion for sexual health and reproductive rights that translates into a commitment with CENIT of at least 9-12 months (for the Sexual Education Coordinator) or 4-6 months (for assistants to the coordinator). Any previous experience in teaching and youth involvement is a huge plus, especially "at-risk" and/or discipline challenged adolescents. An open-mind, willingness to confront challenging classrooms and use of non-traditional teaching methods are all necessary traits for any sexual education volunteer.