Groove n Grow Fiesta Training Report
- Background
The Groove n Grow Fiesta is a training program designed for adolescents aged 17 to 19, based on the Thriving Teens Foundation’s Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Life Skills Training Model (2024). The program aims to equip adolescents with cognitive, emotional, social, and physical aspects of sexuality, fostering self-understanding, positive decision-making, and independence. The training includes participatory games, self-reflections, individual assignments, and mini-lectures to ensure engagement.
- Training Objectives
The two-day workshop aimed to:
Equip adolescents with life skills and health knowledge.
Build self-confidence and respect for self-determination.
Foster a love for learning and critical thinking.
Promote open communication, trust, and mutual respect.
- Participants’ & Facilitators’ Profile
The training involved 18 high school students (8 females, 10 males) enrolled in the CFK-Africa scholarship program. The facilitators were trainers from the Thriving Teens Foundation, bringing diverse expertise.
- Training Sessions
Day 1:
Opening & Icebreakers: Participants were introduced to the training by a prayer and welcoming remarks.
Meet, Greet, and Know; Participants were divided into three teams (Blue Lock, Thrivers, and Boondocks) for competitive activities. An icebreaker game, Two Truths and a Lie, facilitated introductions and built familiarity among participants
Knowing Me: A session on body awareness, reproductive health, and hormones, encouraging open discussions on puberty, body changes, and self-acceptance.
Love Life Fiesta: Focused on healthy relationships, trust, communication, and self-agency.
Sex-Positive Vibes: Covered sexuality, consent, body image, and sexual hygiene, reinforcing the importance of personal decision-making and self-agency.
A Beautiful Mind: Addressed mental health awareness, anger management, conflict resolution, and the impact of drug use. Participants discussed mental illness, stigma, and ways to seek help.
Day 2:
When Things Go South: Explored unsafe sex, unplanned pregnancy, STIs, child exploitation, and legal protections under various laws. HIV/AIDS awareness was discussed, emphasizing support for infected peers and the importance of confidentiality.
Career Development: A motivational session by Karanja, sharing his journey from struggles to success, emphasizing resilience, innovation, and mentorship.
Social Media & Personal Branding: Participants learned about safe social media practices, online reputation management, and personal branding, emphasizing the impact of consistent and authentic self-presentation.
- Reflections & Closing
Participants appreciated the engaging nature of the training, particularly sessions on career development, personal branding, and relationship dynamics. They recognized the importance of career mentorship, work ethic, and social media use for personal growth. The winning team, Thrivers, was awarded, and the event ended with a cake-cutting ceremony.
- Training Evaluation & Lessons Learned
Participants found the training highly relevant and requested additional topics, including career development, genital health, and social media opportunities. Trainers recommended gender-balanced facilitators, a take-home resource package, and improved feedback forms for better evaluation.
- Recommendations
Expand career development to include CV writing, workplace skills, and entrepreneurship.
Organize an annual black-tie dinner as a networking and learning platform.
Enhance participant engagement in community development initiatives.
The Groove n Grow Fiesta successfully provided an engaging, informative, and transformative experience, empowering adolescents to make informed choices about their lives and future.