±Ø²©ÓéÀÖ,±È²©ÓéÀÖÍøÖ· the Peer Educator Programme

Vision of Peer Education

In pursuing academic excellence, CCDU believes that co-curricular activities including psycho-education, social justice, building healthy student communities and citizenship are important in enabling the development of a more holistic and complete graduate. It is for this reason that opportunities are created for students to sign-up, train and engage as Peer Educators. Furthermore, the broader wits student community is then empowered through energetic, creative and educational activities facilitated through the peer programme. The Peer Educator Programme is coordinated through WAP; the Wits HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme under CCDU.

What is Peer Education?

Peer education is founded on the belief that peers exert a certain amount of influence over each other. It is a model of practice to engage with communities around various social aspects. Empowering peer educators with accurate content and enhancing their skill to be supportive and develop other students is essential for this concept to be effective. Peer Educators are therefore trained, mobilized and supported to conduct educational interventions within the Wits student and staff community.

Values of a Peer Educator

Each student brings an individual personality and identity to the programme but works in a team setting. The following characteristics are some of the values which peers should strive for:

How to Join the Wits Peer Education Programme

Every year new students join the programme, bringing in their own energy, fun, creativity and enthusiasm as they join existing peers. It is a formal programme requiring dedication, commitment and passion. Peers give of their time and efforts based on availability. At the end of the year peers receive certificates based on participation.  Recruitment is usually done at O¡¯week but may also happen during 4^th block.

Benefits of the Programme

The Wits Peer Education Programme seeks to contribute to the development of a global citizen; endeavoring to build a more confident and employable young person. Peer educators are exposed to a range of skills, opportunities and interactions which ordinarily may not be gained through regular classroom learning and so adding value not only to personal but also academic and career enhancements. The following growth opportunities exist:

• Increased Knowledge on various Social Justice issues
• Interpersonal skills; connecting and communicating with others
• Events and project operational skills
• Enhancing creativity and marketing ability
• Group work skills ¨C learning to work as a team, appreciating differences; dealing with conflict; assertiveness; self-confidence and leadership
• Developing an ethos of Volunteerism and citizenship

Email info.ccdu@wits.ac.za | Tel:  011 717 9140