In April 2024, the Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) embarked on a journey to assess life skills and values in Taita Taveta, Nyeri and Kisumu counties, in Kenya. The assessment covered 1,265 adolescents aged between 13-17 years old, across the three counties. ALiVE aimed to assess 3 life skills: collaboration, problem solving and self-awareness alongside the value of respect.
The assignment began with a 3-day training of assessors who were selected from a crop of trainee teachers. This choice of assessors was strategic because the ALiVE initiative aims to expose teachers to identify life skills and values, integrate them in the education curriculum, and ultimately be able to assess them at the classroom level. Watch more on the assessment here. At the end of the weeklong exercise, some of the assessors wrote the following blogs as a highlight of their experiences during the assessment.
ALiVE Training and Field Assessment By Brian Okoth
The culmination of the ALiVE household assessment on life skills and values marks not just the end of an evaluation but the beginning of a transformative journey. The values and life skills learned mark the strength and wisdom behind the program. Focusing on self awareness, problem solving and collaboration as yardsticks, as an assessor and teacher in training, my immersion in this assessment has been a profound exploration of empowerment and growth regarding life skills and values among adolescents in East Africa. The program was full of immense learning opportunities that included a three-day training programme and ground research.
One of the most pivotal moments during the assessment was witnessing firsthand the resilience and aspirations of adolescents aged 13 between and 17 years. Engaging with them in discussions about values and life skills revealed an array of experiences, challenges, and dreams. Watching and taking part in this youthful world of experiences proved to not just benefit our assessment but also opened windows into the hearts and minds of our future leaders. Navigating diverse household dynamics further underscored the interconnectedness of values and life skills with familial environments. Each household we visited in Kisumu County presented a unique narrative, reflecting the rich tapestry of East African culture.
From bustling urban settings to serene rural landscapes, the common thread was the unwavering dedication of parents and guardians in instilling essential virtues in their children. Communication proved pivotal in the assessment process. Effective dialogue, laced with empathy and understanding, fostered trust and openness among adolescents and their families. This experience reaffirmed the impact of communication in nurturing personal development and fostering meaningful connections.
Much can be said of the Zizi Afrique Foundation-led assessment. However, it did not pass without challenges. The challenges included logistical hurdles given the terrain of the villages visited. We also met occasional resistance at the household level. But with resilience and adaptability, we pulled through most of the challenges and embraced them as catalysts for co-existence and growth, strengthening our resolve to advocate for comprehensive life skills education for all adolescents. Reflecting on the ALiVE household assessment, I am reminded of its significance beyond data collection.
It is a call to action—a call to empower, educate, and uplift the youth of East Africa, for life. It is a testament to the collective effort of educators, parents, and stakeholders in shaping a generation equipped with the tools to thrive in an ever-evolving world. I believe the ALiVE program will have positive and long-long effects on all those reached. In conclusion, I extend my gratitude to Zizi Afrique Foundation for orchestrating this impactful assessment and commend my fellow assessors for their dedication.Let us carry forward the lessons learned, championing the cause of holistic education and empowerment for our youths.
Reflections on the ALiVE Assessment By Ann Gitonga
PHOTO: Josephat Lugendo
If there is anything directly influential in value development, it most definitely must be the ALiVE program. The program is geared towards personal expression of values and life skills and an appreciation of those around us. Zizi Afrique Foundation team facilitated the household assessment of adolescents aged 13 to 17 years, to evaluate their proficiencies in 3 life skills and one value that is: self-awareness, problem solving, collaboration and respect.
The three-day training and the field work enriched my personal experience and my view of all the stakeholders who were involved in the assessment. The training not only introduced us to the skills and value of interest but also groomed us for the task ahead. The interactive sessions and roles play helped us understand what to expect in the field and how to address each possible encounter, positive or negative. We learned how to communicate with adolescents and how to approach family heads before settling down for the actual assessment. The practical sessions enhanced my communication skills, as I learned active listening techniques, essential for interpersonal interactions. Worth noting is the power of collaboration in achieving common goals and driving meaningful change within diverse settings. The program emphasised teamwork, therefore fostering a sense of collective responsibility and mutual support among participants. We also appreciated the focus on self-awareness and socio-emotional learning. The reflective exercises and introspective discussions helped to deepen my understanding of my strengths, weaknesses and emotions. One of the most enriching experiences during the training was engaging in problem solving activities that challenged my problem-solving abilities. Through hands-on exercises, we developed strategies for identifying and addressing challenges creatively, equipping me with invaluable skills applicable to various aspects of life. The training did instil in me a sense of purpose and active citizenship. This was through discussions on social responsibility and common good. We further conversed and committed to a plan apply skills and values learned in our life situations. The training was a transformative experience that equipped me with essential life skills, values and perspectives necessary for personal and community development. The real household assessment presented multiple lessons and challenges. I learned that each community or household had their diverse yet contextual approach to values. This diversity highlighted the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding when implementing programs aimed at promoting life skills and values. While some parents and guardians welcomed the assessment activities with enthusiasm, others expressed scepticism. Some of the household heads involved in the assessment voiced concerns about the relevance of the exercise while questioning its impact on their children. Addressing these concerns required patience, respect and effective communication to convey the purpose and benefits of the assessment mostly based on the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).
Despite the challenges, the experiences gained during the assessment were invaluable. Engaging directly with parents and the adolescents provided me with insights into the unique dynamics and needs within each household. Where parents or care givers embraced the assessment, meaningful conversations ensued, building a sense of collaboration and shared responsibility for adolescents’ growth and development. They in turn expressed appreciation for the opportunity to reflect on and discuss essential life skills and values with their children. Conversely, in households where we met resistance, the assessment process became an opportunity for dialogue and awareness creation. By addressing the concerns, I sought to build trust and rapport with doubtful household heads, emphasizing the potential benefits of equipping the adolescents with critical life skills for present and future success. Throughout the assessment, self-awareness emerged as a recurring theme for parents and adolescents alike. Discussions around respect, problem solving, and collaboration often promoted self – reflection encouraging individuals to examine their own behaviours, beliefs and attitudes towards others and towards life encounters. Overall, the assessment experience reinforced the complexity of promoting life skills and values within diverse communities. It underscored the importance of inclusive and participatory approaches that recognize and respect the cultural context while striving for positive change. By engaging with the households and doing dialogue, the assessment process became not only a means of evaluation but also a catalyst for community engagement, empowerment and hopefully transformative growth. I would wish to extend special acknowledgements to the team at Zizi Afrique for their invaluable support and guidance throughout the assessment process.
An Adventurous Assessment By Jennifer Ndung’u
Hey there, fellow adventurers! Get ready to dive into the captivating world of young adulthood. We will explore the fascinating findings from a field study on young people aged 13 – 17 years.
During this adventure, I was fortunate to be part of a team of assessors who undertook training aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of life skills and values. Thereafter, we were required to carry out field assessments of these skills on adolescents, so that these findings would inform parents, teachers and the government on how to improve the acquisition of certain key life skills and values. So, buckle up and join me on this journey as we uncover the hidden gems of young people’s lives!
We were beaming with curiosity and the eagerness to be part of a serious assessment. Our first day in the field unfolded like an exhilarating adventure, riddled with numerous discoveries and diverse perspectives. We were completely taken aback by the charm and unique settings we found ourselves in. The vibrant colours of houses, the warm smiles from locals as the village elders introduced us, filled us with a sense of wonder and excitement. I also stumbled upon a shocking revelation that caught me off guard. However, before I reveal this discovery, allow me to delve deeper into the core business – the assessment. Imagine stepping into a warm home, where learning happens in the most familiar and comfortable of environments.Imagine being surrounded by bright brains who are eager to learn. That was my experience in most of the households I visited. I also witnessed firsthand how the task-oriented tools developed by the ALiVE toom, gave direction and facilitated some commendable flow of the assessment. During the assignment we sought to assess self-awareness, problem solving, collaboration and respect among the targeted teenagers.
Our assessment yielded several discoveries. One recurrent theme was the innate desire to pursue personal growth and the discovery of self, regardless of background. The passion with which participants expressed their hopes and dreams remains inspiring. I was also particularly moved by questions on boy-girl relationships. The recurrence of these questions helped me learn and discover the impact of social media and technology in shaping adolescents’ identities and influencing their perceptions of self-worth. Besides, most of the participants expressed a strong desire to explore their passion, develop new skills and find their footing in this wide world. This drive for self-improvement was often fuelled by a longing for independence and freedom. I also learnt that respect is the secret ingredient that adds flavour and depth to our relationships and interactions as most of the homes we visited showcased just how seriously the value of respect plays out in African homes. Furthermore, the assessment shed light on the importance of collaboration among young learners.
Remember my promise to let you in on a discovery I made? Well, imagine a field so abundant with carrots so much so that it felt like stepping into a leafy wonderland! My colleague on the other hand, however, never seemed or bothered. I suppose this wasn’t new to her. The field of carrots stretched as far as the eyes could see. Rows upon rows of these delightful veggies stretched out as if reaching the horizon. The sheer number of carrots was mind boggling. Curiosity got the better of me and I just had to try out a few of the carrots in the field. With permission of course! The carrots were so fresh, juicy and full of life. Aside from the bunny delicacy, the assessment was like no other. It emphasized the need to integrate life skills and values in the education curriculum, and the importance of doing so in early grades. By reflecting on these we can better support and empower young people on their journey towards fulfilling lives.