In September, the selection of peer educators for the new “Peer School against Peer Violence” at YMCA Bitola began! After informing and consulting with the high schools in the municipality of Bitola, cooperation began with 6 high schools, which selected interested students, and in the following period they underwent a series of lectures, and at the end of the semester they became peer educators.
In the following period of two months, a new group of students became more familiar with the occurrence of peer violence and its consequences, shared experiences and learned how to address it to professional services and adults and, of course, to understand it better. Topics that we specifically focused on were: 1. Communication styles (followed by exercises from which we saw how our behavior and communication play a role in the messages we send to our environment), 2. The concept of power and influence, 3. Types of violence (physical, psychological, social and cyber-violence) and 4. The concept of non-violent communication, as an approach that everyone can be prepared for and learn to apply in their everyday lives.
The next 2 workshops took place in a different atmosphere, where the participants first thought about peer violence through guided meditation, regardless of whether it happened to them or they witnessed it, and then through art all of this was expressed individually. Through colors and creativity, by drawing and creating works of art, they shared what it means to feel supported by peers and how we can all play a role in ending bullying. Each picture is its own story of resilience, empathy and hope.
The peer school was led by a psychologist and a youth worker from YMCA Bitola.
After completing the 4 modules and 2 art workshops, which dealt with peer violence and topics related to it in our local environment, the trained students – peer educators conducted a presentation in front of their students and their class by the end of December this year. These peer educations were very well received by schools, professional services, but above all by the students themselves to whom the educations were dedicated.
At the end of the school year, we had a ceremonial awarding of certificates to the peer educators, who successfully completed the education against peer violence and held workshops and educations in their schools.
The goal of these workshops was to raise awareness about this phenomenon in order to reduce it. We continue with activities in the second semester, with students from primary schools in the Municipality of Bitola.
The project “Peer School against Peer Violence” of the Youth Association YMCA Bitola is a continuation of the peer school initiative within the Youth Center in Bitola, on topics related to mental health, which are relevant for young people, as well as for the Municipality itself. The project is supported by CVJM #SignsOfHope and the Municipality of Bitola and is implemented in cooperation with 6 high schools in the city.
