The African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) has commenced a 5-day Training of Trainers (ToT) for the Catholic Diocese of Embu, bringing together 35 youth leaders for an intensive formation aimed at equipping them with the knowledge, skills and values needed to accompany young people towards healthier and more responsible choices.

The training is being facilitated by the AJAN team, comprising Ms. Pascalia Sergon, Acting AJAN Director; Mr. Dennis Owuoche, AJAN Communications Officer; and Ms. Lilian Waweru, Principal Chaplain, Kenya Prisons. Also present is Rev. Fr. David Njeru, Youth Chaplain for the Catholic Diocese of Embu, who is supporting the training and youth formation efforts of the Diocese. Additional participants are expected to join as the training progresses.

Awakening to Myself: Beginning with Self-Awareness

The first day introduced participants to the first module of the AHAPPY Generation Programme, “Awakening to Myself.” The module invites young people to begin by paying attention to themselves—to understand who they are, recognize their strengths and vulnerabilities, examine their choices, and appreciate the interconnectedness of the different dimensions of their lives.

The opening session, led by Ms. Lilian Waweru, provided participants with an opportunity to introduce themselves and share their expectations for the training. Their reflections revealed a strong desire to gain practical knowledge and skills that would enable them to better understand the realities shaping the lives of young people today. Participants expressed a keen interest in learning more about HIV and AIDS transmission and prevention, developing mentorship and leadership skills, enhancing their personal and professional development, and strengthening their capacity to accompany and support young people in their communities. They also hoped the training would equip them with the tools needed to make informed decisions and become positive agents of change among their peers.

The session also created space for participants to reflect on their own experiences and the responsibility that comes with becoming trainers and mentors of others.

Understanding AJAN and the AHAPPY Pedagogy

Ms. Pascalia Sergon later introduced participants to AJAN and the AHAPPY Generation Programme, providing an overview of the network’s mission and the approach that underpins its youth formation work.

Participants were introduced to the five dimensions of the human person that form an important foundation of the AHAPPY Programme:

• Spiritual – nurturing one’s relationship with God, faith and values.
• Physical – understanding and caring for one’s body and physical well-being.
• Social – building healthy relationships and responsible engagement with others.
• Emotional – recognizing, understanding and managing one’s emotions.
• Intellectual – developing the capacity to think critically, reason, learn and make informed decisions.

The participants were encouraged to see these dimensions not as separate parts of life, but as interconnected aspects of the whole person. A decision made in one area can have consequences across the other dimensions, highlighting the importance of holistic formation.

Learning Through Story and Reflection

To deepen the day’s reflections, participants watched a film illustrating how poor decisions can affect multiple dimensions of a person’s life. The story provided an opportunity to move beyond theory and examine how choices can shape relationships, emotional well-being, physical health, spiritual life and future opportunities.

The film prompted participants to reflect on their own experiences and the choices young people face in their daily lives. It also reinforced an important message of the AHAPPY approach: young people need more than information—they need spaces where they can reflect, ask questions, develop self-awareness and acquire the skills to make responsible choices.

As Day One came to a close, participants were challenged to look inward and consider how well they understand themselves before taking on the responsibility of accompanying others. The journey of becoming an effective trainer, they were reminded, begins with self-awareness, personal reflection and a willingness to grow.

The training will continue with participants exploring additional aspects of the AHAPPY Generation Programme as they prepare to become trainers and mentors capable of accompanying young people in the Catholic Diocese of Embu.

Through this initiative, AJAN continues to strengthen its commitment to walking with young people, investing in their potential and empowering them to make informed, life-giving choices for themselves, their communities and their future.

More to follow>>>

By, Mr. Dennis Owuoche,

AJAN Communications Officer.