Kamikazes: youth serving youth in a dangerous climate. Algeria

Plan Parent Chall. 1995:(1):39-40.

Abstract

PIP: The Algerian Family Planning Association (FPA) launched its youth project in July 1993 in Oran. The first project of its kind in the Arab world, members call themselves Kamikazes in recognition of the hostile climate they face. The project's goal was to deal with social, cultural, and health problems. They also designed the project's logo, a cartoon booklet on the dangers of AIDS, and a T-shirt for members to wear. They based their activities in the local government-run information center. Between 15 and 25 years old, from a wide variety of social backgrounds, the young people drew up a list of common problems: drugs, alcohol, smoking, relationships with the opposite sex, abortion, contraception, sex education, AIDS, homosexuality, unemployment, the lack of clubs for young people, delinquency, lack of communication between parents and children, the repression of women, the lack of popular entertainment for young people, and the shortage of books. This project now is to be extended to Algiers and other cities. Over an 8-month period, the committee received instruction in contraception and combatting drug addition, participated in a workshop on empowerment and self esteem, and were trained in role-playing techniques. In their first 18 months of existence, the Kamikazes in Oran have succeeded in involving over 1000 of their peers. They have had particular success in reaching teenagers in secondary schools. One of the most valuable aspects of the project has been the sessions held with gynecologists and psychologists on sexual development, relationships between the sexes, and the avoidance of unwanted pregnancies, abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases. The success of the Oran Kamikaze project bodes well for the extension of the project to other parts of Algeria and indeed to some other countries of the Arab world.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome*
  • Adolescent*
  • Africa
  • Africa, Northern
  • Age Factors
  • Algeria
  • Behavior
  • Communication
  • Demography
  • Developing Countries
  • Disease
  • Education
  • HIV Infections
  • Health Education*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Planning*
  • Middle East
  • Organization and Administration
  • Organizations
  • Peer Group*
  • Population
  • Population Characteristics
  • Sex Education*
  • Social Problems*
  • Substance-Related Disorders*
  • Virus Diseases
  • Voluntary Health Agencies*