Sexual Health Education
Shaping Futures Toolkit
Admin
Designer: Musawo Betty Care and Research Centre (MBCRC) – Uganda
Purpose: To equip midwives, educators, Psychologists and youth advocates with a ready – to use set of resources to replicate the “Shaping Futures” workshop model in their own countries and communities.
1.0 INTRODUCTION ON THE TOOLKIT
The “Shaping Futures” Toolkit is a comprehensive, practical and user- friendly resource package designed for facilitators who wish to implement the adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) workshop model developed by Musawo Betty Care and Research Centre in Uganda. This toolkit is intended for midwives, teachers, psychologists, community health workers, peer educators and youth advocates who work with teenagers and aged 13 – 19 years. The toolkit contains everything a facilitator needs to plan, deliver, monitor and evaluate a “Shaping Futures” workshop, from pre- workshop preparation to post – workshop follow – up.
The toolkit is structured in a modular format, allowing facilitators to adapt the content to their specific context, whether they are working in a school, a community health centre, a youth club, or a faith based organization. All materials are designed to be culturally adaptable, low cost and accessible to facilitators with varying levels of experience. The toolkit is available in both digital format (PDFs, editable templates and video resources) and print ready format for low resource settings where internet access may be limited.
2.0 CORE COMPONENTS OF THE TOOLKIT
The toolkit is organised into seven core components, each corresponding to a phase of the workshop implementation process. These components are designed to be sequentially, but facilitators may also select individual components based on their specific needs.
Component 1: Facilitator Guide
The facilitator guide is the backbone of the toolkit. It provides detailed, step by step instructions for planning and delivering the “Shaping Futures” workshop. The guide is written in clear, simple language and includes timetables, session outlines, key messages, facilitation tips, and scripts for sensitive discussions. Each session includes learning objectives, materials needed, estimated time, and step by step facilitation notes. The guide also includes guidance on creating safe and confidential learning environment, managing group dynamics, answering difficult questions, and handling disclosures of abuse or harm. Appendices in the guide include sample workshop agendas for different durations (2 days, 3 days, or 5 days), a list of required materials, and suggested answers to frequently asked questions.
Component 2 : Participant Workbook
The participant Workbook is designed to be given to each teenager attending the workshop. The workbook contains interactive activities, reflection questions, fill- in the blank exercises, and take – home messages that reinforce the workshop content. The workbook is divided into the same six modules as the workshop.
1. Module 1: Understanding my body (puberty, menstrual health, hygiene)
2. Module 2: Sexual and reproductive Health (Contraception, STI /HIV) prevention, reproductive rights
3. Module 3 Healthy relationships (consent, communication, boundaries, peer pressure)
4. Module 4: Mental Health and wellbeing (stress, anxiety, coping strategies)
5. Module 5 Life skills and Future planning (decision- making, goal setting, career awareness)
6. Module 6: Peer Leadership (becoming a peer Health Champion)
The workbook includes a pre- workshop assessment and a post workshop assessment at the front and back, allowing facilitators to measure changes in knowledge and attitudes. At the end of the workshop, each participant receives a certificate of completion, which is also included in the toolkit as a printable template.
Component 3: Facilitator Training Manual
The facilitator training manual is intended for organisations that wish to train their own facilitators using the train -the- trainer model. This manual provides a 3 day training curriculum for preparing new facilitators to deliver the “Shaping Futures” workshop. The training covers adolescent development, facilitation skills, handling sensitive topics, confidentiality and safeguarding and workshop logistics. The manual includes training agendas, PowerPoint slides. Role-play scenarios and assessment tools for evaluating trainee facilitators. A certificate of facilitator competence is also included as a printable template.
Component 4 Visual Aids and Demonstration materials
This component includes a collection of visual aids designed to enhance participant understanding and engagement. These include:
1. Anatomical diagrams (male and Female reproductive systems)
2. Flip charts for key messages and group activities
3. Illustrated handouts on contraceptive methods (with non- judgmental descriptions of each method).
4. Decision making flowcharts for handling peer pressure
5. Myth vs. fact” cards for interactive games
6. Feelings cards for emotional literacy exercises
7. The “consent is like a cup of tea” visual analogy
All visual aids are provided as high – resolution PDFs that can be printed in colour or black and white. For facilitators in extremely low – resource settings, the toolkit includes instructions for creating low cost versions of these visual aids using locally available materials such as flip chart paper, markers and magazines.
Component 5: Motoring and evaluation tools
This component provides a complete M&E package for tracking workshop outcomes and demonstrating impact. The package include;
1. Pre - workshop knowledge assessment (20 questions, multiple choice and false/false)
2. Post workshop knowledge assessment (same format for comparability)
3. Participant feedback form (evaluating content, facilitators and logistics)
4. Teacher or parent feedback form (for school - based workshops)
5. Facilitator observation checklist (to ensure fidelity to the curriculum)
6. Template for quarterly progress reports
7. Guidance on analysing and interpreting M & E data
All assessment tools are provided are provided as edited word documents, allowing facilitators to adapt the language or content to their local context.
Component 6: Templates and administrative forms
This component contains all the administrative forms needed to run a “Shaping Futures” workshop. These include:
1. Parent information letter (editable template in English and with a guide for local language translation)
2. Parental consent form (for minors)
3. Child assent form (for participants aged 13-17)
4. Adult consent form (for participants aged 18 and above)
5. Emergency contact form
6. Workshop registration form
7. attendance register
8. Facilitator evaluation form
9. Memorandum of understating (MOU) template for school partnerships
These forms are designed to be easily customised with the facilitator’s organisation name, logo and local contact information.
Component 7: Peer Health Champion Training Module
This component is a standalone module for training peer health champions after the main workshop. The Peer Health Champion training is an additional 1 – 2 day program that prepares selected teenagers to lead peer education activities in their schools and communities. The module includes:
1. Selection criteria for Peer Health Champions
2. Training curriculum (communication skills, active listening, referral pathways, ethical boundaries)
3. Role – play scenarios for practicing peer support conversations
4. Guidance on establishing and maintaining a Peer Health Champion network
5. Peer Health Champion pledge and certificate.
6. Suggested activities for Peer Health Champions to implement (e.g. school health clubs, awareness campaigns, one on one support)
3.0 FORMAT ACCESSIBILITY
The “Shaping Futures” toolkit is designed to be accessible to facilitators in low-resource settings. The toolkit is available in two formats.
Digital format: All components are provided as downloadable PDFs, editable word documents, and PowerPoint presentations. This digital toolkit can be accessed via a link or QR code, allowing facilitators to download only the components they need.
Print to demand format: For facilitators with limited internet access, the toolkit is designed for local printing. The materials are formatted for black and white printing to reduce costs, and all visual aids are designed to be reproductible on standard A4 paper.
Language availability: The toolkit is currently available in English. A French version and a Portuguese version are under development. Facilitators are encouraged to translate the materials into local languages as needed, and MBCRC guides culturally appropriate translation.
HOW TO USE THE TOOLKIT
The toolkit is designed to be used flexibility, depending on the facilitator’s context and capacity.
For first time facilitators, we recommend starting with the facilitator guide and the participant workbook. Review the entire facilitator guide before your first workshop. Print or photocopy the participant workbooks and pre/ post assessment tools. Watch the demonstration videos (if available) to see the activities in action. If possible, co – facilitate with an experienced facilitator before leading your own workshop.
For experienced facilitators, the toolkit can be used as a resource bank. Select the modules and activities that are most relevant to your audience. Use the M & E tools to track our outcomes. Adapt the materials to your local context.
For organizations wishing to scale up the model, use the facilitator training manual to train new facilitators. Use the MOU template to formalise partnerships with schools. Use the M&E tools to collect data for donor reporting and advocacy.
5.0 CUSTOMISATION AND LOCAL ADAPTATION
MBCRC encourages facilitators to adapt the toolkit to their cultural content. When adapting the materials, consider the following:
1. Language: Translate the workbook, consent forms, and handouts into the local language. Use simple, clear language that is age – appropriate. Avoid medical jargon where possible.
2. Cultural norms: Adjust examples and scenarios to reflect local realities. For example, in some cultures, it may be more appropriate to discuss contraception in single gender groups.
3. Legal context: Ensure that the information provided about age of consent, abortion laws and age of marriage reflects the legal framework of your country.
4. Religious considerations: The toolkit is values based and respects diverse religious beliefs. Facilitators may choose to add a module on values clarification or to frame the content within local religious teachings.
6.0 COST AND DISTRIBUTION
The “Shaping Futures” Toolkit is available at no cost to non profit organizations, schools and community based groups. For profit organisations and consultants may be charged a nominal fee to cover production and distribution costs.
To access the toolkit:
1. Scan the QR code below
2. or visit www. mbcrc.org
3. or contact: bettynajjuuko33@gmail.com
7.0 QR CODE AND ACCESS LINK
Scan to download the complete “Shaping Futures” Toolkit
QR Code destination
8.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND CONTACT
This toolkit was developed by Musawo Betty Care and Research Centre(MBCRC) with support from our team of midwives, psychologists, teachers and Peer Health Champions. We acknowledge the teenagers of Wakiso District, Uganda whose voices and experiences shaped this curriculum.
For technical support, customisation assistance, or facilitator training, please contact:
Betty Najjuuko – Director
Musawo Betty Care and Research Centre (MBCRC)
Nsangi, Wakiso District, Uganda
+256782771133 / +256703771133