Why I became an African peer educator

Mirriam C. M'cheleka

I believe in community building, community work and in participation and that any society without a strong, well co-ordinated community cannot be a successful one .
I am an African living in Sheffield and I like to be involved in African community work to see my community successful and happy.

As an African Peer Educator, I participate in many community events in Sheffield such as:-

• Multicultural festivals: - These are very exciting events. I get involved in displaying educative sexual health information such as leaflets, booklets and posters on the stalls. Providing free condoms, giving advice and referring to appropriate health services are some of the activities that I enjoy during these events. I also learn from other stalls around other than our African Peer Educator stall.
• Break the Silence: - This is a free entertainment event held annually  aiming at bringing African Communities together to share and talk about sexual health issues affecting their communities. This is one of the events I find very interesting. Very powerful speakers, music and traditional dancing are available during these events.

As an African Peer Educator I support people with HIV and believe that they have the right to enjoy life without discrimination, shame and stigma. I help in this work by giving advice, directing people to appropriate services and giving information.
In preparation to be a peer Educator, I underwent a 10 day training course which has helped me build up my confidence in talking to people about solving their sexual health problems and giving sessions to groups of people regarding sexual health issues.
Because of the activities I get involved in and the different people I meet, I have found myself thinking positively about wanting to do more and more. This has given me the enthusiasm to think about progressing in my career. I have had an opportunity to be given a place at Sheffield Hallam University to study a Masters in Public Health. I am hoping to finish the course so that in future, I will be able to help/support more people in issues relating to their sexual and wider health.