ABOUT US

GOLD Peer Education Development Agency

“Peer education doesn't tell you what to do differently but changes you as a person, so that you can do things differently. I think it is probably the best approach imaginable when dealing with young people.”

Grade 12 peer educator

GOLD Peer Education Development Agency (GOLD) is a dynamic non-profit organisation playing a key role in the transformation of under-served communities in Sub-Saharan Africa through the roll out of a long term adolescent peer education model.

The GOLD model uses the methodology of peer education which harnesses the influence that young people have with their peers to encourage youth to make informed choices and develop health-enhancing social norms. [1,2,3]

GOLD was legally established in September 2004 to respond pro-actively to the increasing incidence of HIV infections amongst youth. This was done with a sense of urgency to do justice to the scale and rate of such infections, while still accepting the reality that sustained and positive behaviour change requires significant investment of time, resources and one-on-one mentorship and support.

The GOLD (Generation of Leaders Discovered) Peer Education model has been pioneered over the last 5 years, and drew on best practice global research together with the learnings of a few pioneering NGO's which had been piloting peer education in South Africa for several years.

GOLD's Vision:
We see a generation of young African leaders confronting the root issues of the HIV and AIDS pandemic through uplifting their communities and imparting vision and purpose to present and future generations.

GOLD's Mission:
To support viable community organisations across sub-Saharan Africa in the sustainable roll out of quality youth peer education programmes in alignment to the GOLD Model, thereby empowering youth peer leaders to become positive role models and agents of community change.

Values
The following GOLD values are based on a Christ-centred world view and inform the way people working for the organisation fulfil their roles:

Acceptance – non-discrimination and acceptance of people regardless of their race/ethnicity, age, culture, class, gender, health status, physical appearance, or ability.

Compassion : A high level of empathy and a non-judgmental attitude are required. Always being prepared to acknowledge that you may not understand the circumstances that dictate the attitudes and behaviour of your peers.

Ubuntu : The community is only as strong as their most vulnerable member. You can never have a thriving community if you are not concerned with the welfare of your neighbour.  

Servant Leadership : A true leader is called to serve, lead by example and not to manipulate. Foster a desire to see those who we are leading today, overtaking us tomorrow.

Purpose : We value a sense of purpose for every man, woman and child. Without clear vision and a hope for the future, a person cannot fulfil this purpose.  

Integrity : We value honesty, reliability and trustworthiness together with principled and ethical behaviour.  

Accountability : We value accountability and transparency for actions and decisions taken or made, both individually and corporately.

Principles

  • Developmental and participatory partnership approach.  
  • Focus on learning from the past but pioneering for the future.  
  • Focus on adolescents as an important catalyst for community transformation.  
  • Foster a channel for youth leadership in decision-making processes.
  • Focus on role modelling for effective behaviour change.
  • Focus on maintaining high standards of excellence in service delivery and work ethic.
  • Focus on equipping implementing organisations as the strategy to scale out the GOLD peer education model.
  • Apply a learner centred approach as a principle throughout GOLD delivery  

1. Sloane BC, Zimmer CG. The power of peer health education. Journal of American College Health 1993; 41:241-245.
2. National Hemophilia Foundation. Peer-to-Peer Health Education Programs for Youth: Their Impact on Comprehensive Health Education . New York: The Foundation, 1994.
3. DiClemente RJ. Confronting the challenge of AIDS among adolescents: directions for future research. Journal of Adolescent Research 1993; 8:156-166.