Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic

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Escojo Mi Vida

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The Escojo Mi Vida ("I choose my life") initiative was founded by Peace Corps volunteers and their project partners in 2004. Escojo Mi Vida is a national initiative to increase the prevention of HIV/AIDS, STDs, and unwanted teen pregnancies. To work, Escojo focuses on training youth peer-educators. We recognize that the youth need life skills to prevent HIV/AIDS and other diseases and because of this, the youth training is based in life skills such as decision making, communication, values, self-esteem, and others. Furthermore, the youth receive extensive training in the themes of HIV/AIDS, STDs, consequences and prevention of teen pregnancy, etc.

 

The second part of the work methodology of Escojo is the youth peer-educators demonstrating their learning. The peer-educator teams start to give talks, present dramas, poems, and songs about Escojo themes. The youth peer-educators give lessons to their communities and those nearby.

 

In addition to their participation in the community, Escojo youth peer-educators participate in conferences at the national, regional, and sub-regional levels. They participate in educational activities and community interchanges. They also participate in World AIDS Day.

 

Today, there are more than 50 groups of Escojo peer-educator working in the country. The growth of the iniciative has been excellent, and are now in a position to form a network of regional coordinators that have been certified by Peace Corps and Escojo. The youth that we have chosen are leaders in their communities and in the country, and have worked hard with Escojo for many years. We are very proud to carry out this new step towards a more successful future for Escojo Mi Vida iniciative.

Upcoming Events

  1. March 7-9: Escojo Regional Conference – East: San Cristobal
  2. April 11-13: Escojo Regional Conference – Cibao. Santiago
  3. April 25-27: Escojo Regional Conference – South. San Cristóbal
  4. June and July: Sub Regional Conferences. To be anounced.

Resources

Documents:

Links:

  • Plan Internacional in the Dominican Republic

    • I am glad I had the chance to work and learn so much from the kids that I work with.Adali ValdezFormer volunteer in the Dominican Republic 2005-2007.