I am Somebody (Life Skills 9-13‪)‬ Sierra Leone MBSSE

Today’s episode will focus on What is Stress?

Why do you think we choose this topic? As you become more independent you have to make decisions that will affect your future and you can also be under pressure from friends and family and schoolwork. All these things can have an impact on your happiness. It is important that we learn to recognize signs of stress and find ways to manage our stress in healthy ways.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Define the meaning of stress

2) Name things in your life that can cause feelings of stress

3) List the physical and emotional signs of feeling stress

4) Practice self-care skills to reduce your feelings of stress



*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s lesson will focus on Mental Health matters

Why do you think we choose this topic? We chose it because mental health is one of the least understood parts of our health and yet it is important to each one of us. Many people have mental illnesses and are treated badly by others and made to feel different because many people are afraid of mental illness and do not understand it. Young people can be champions in removing this stigma and the first step is by understanding mental health.

After this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Define the meaning of mental health

2. Describe how we can respond when we see someone showing symptoms of a mental illness

3. Explain that mental illness is no different from illness in other parts of the body

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on Education is for every child

Can you guess why I chose this topic? The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education announced that they would continue to strengthen the free quality school education. They will reach out to children who have never been to school and those that have dropped out and make schools more welcoming to invite them to rejoin schools again. You can also do your part to help include children in your community to join school, no matter their background or situation.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Define what is meant by the term Radical Inclusion in Education

2) Explain why banning pregnant girls from school in not effective

3) Describe ways to support pregnant schoolmates to continue their education



*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on Gangs are dangerous

Can you guess why I chose this topic? It is important for young people to understand how peer pressure can cause them to act in a dangerous or harmful way. We will talk about why some people join a gang so that we can remove the myths associated with being in a gang. When we understand the negative impact of gang membership, we are more likely to be able to resist joining a gang.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Define the term peer pressure

2) Describe some of the signs of gang membership

3) Consider why some young people may want to join a gang but most others do not

4) Explain some of the consequences of gang membership



*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode is called Respect all families

Can you guess why I chose this topic? It is natural for adolescents to  notice differences and similarities between your family and other families in your community. All families are unique! In this episode we will learn not to be judgmental of these differences, but instead we will learn to accept and celebrate all the different types of families in Sierra Leone.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Describe different kinds of families

2) Name roles of family members

3) Consider how young people might feel being left out

4) Show respect for different kinds of families

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on Girls and Boys Voices

Why do you think we choose this topic? In previous episodes we learned about rights and responsibilities. Today we will hear about girls and boys who used their voices to claim their rights. We hope these examples will inspire you to claim your own rights and to be a voice for girls and boys in your own community.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1. Explain that girls can make a difference in their community and country

2. Inspire boys to work for change for girls, too!

3. Describe actions that girls and boys can take to make a difference in their community



*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.