Growing Up: A Video Module Series on RSH for Young People

The Growing Up series was originally conceived as part of the BBC World Service Training/Ford Foundation Sex & Reproductive Health Education: India project; and has since been supported by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID / India), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Designed to be used in facilitated settings with groups of young people, the series has been designed around two trilogies of films, the first directed at 9-14 year olds, and the second at a 15+ age group. Each set is accompanied by printed support materials for the facilitator.

While teachers and facilitators may have the necessary information on reproductive anatomy and reproductive and sexual health (RSH) issues, they often face personal and situational hurdles in being able to start a discussion on these sensitive issues that are still taboo in many societies. The Growing Up modules are designed to break the ice, and provide an opening for a discussion on issues around growing up, reproduction, sex & sexuality, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and sexual choices. The modules are therefore primarily for use within groups as a discussion generation tool; and are best used within a long-term RSH intervention with young people, where the films can used segment by segment over the duration of the intervention. The modules are designed principally for school-going urban and peri-urban young people, but can be easily adapted for different settings and to the needs of different groups. The modules can also be used as advocacy tools for adults - especially parents and teachers - as the films include candid discussions on how young people feel about access to information and education on sexuality and reproductive health.

While the foundation trilogy for the younger age group (9-14 years) is available in English and Hindi (Growing Up / Badhte Hum), the second trilogy is currently available only in English (The Time of Our Lives, for the 15+ age group). The three films in the Growing Up/Badhte Hum sets combine puppetry, role plays, interviews with young people, animation and sing-along songs in a mix of entertainment and information. While the Growing Up films are structured around the misadventures of two alien muppets and their grouchy computer as they struggle to come to grips with the intricacies of human growth and reproduction, the Badhte Hum films (in Hindi) revolve around conversations between a muppet brother and sister and their wise old parrot. The three films in the sets are:

1. From Small to Big / Chutpan Se Badakpan Tak (25 mins): Discussing the basics of the reproductive anatomy, and the physical changes of puberty.
2. It's Not Just Physical / Kuch Tan Badla Kuch Man (25 mins): Discussing the mental and emotional changes of adolescence, including the increasing importance of peer groups and the dilution of family bonds.
3. Boy Meets Girl / Ladka Miley Ladki Se (28 mins): Discussing the mysterious world of sexual attraction, crushes, relationships, love and sex.

The three films in the Time of Our Lives set revolve around the lives and experiences of a group of friends as they come to terms with issues around sexual attraction, safer sex, contraception, sexual choices and STIs/HIV. Combining dramatised sequences with interviews and reality sequences, the three films in the set are:

• Chapter I: In which Isha is confused…and Sandeep comes to a realisation (25 mins): On physical intimacy, pregnancy, contraception and negotiation within a relationship.
• Chapter II: In which Adesh frets…and finds new friends (25 mins): On STIs, HIV, safer sex and living with HIV.
• Chapter III: In which Mohsin seeks an answer…and Ritu makes a call (25 mins): On sexual choices, rights, and exploring one’s sexual identity.

The Growing Up / Badhte Hum module sets include a facilitators’ handbook that describes ways and means to build on the films' content base through association games and activities; as well as factual information related to the films, and hints on adapting the series to the needs of specific groups. Both sets are available on VHS videocassette or VCD, as required.

The films in the Time of Our Lives module set are available as a folder set containing the three films on VCD; and includes an extensive set of information sheets on specific issues raised in the films (safer sex, contraception, pregnancy, and so on) designed to be photocopied and distributed to young people asking for additional information.

Ideosync is in the process of investigating funding avenues for the adaptation of the Time of Our Lives module set into Hindi. Ideosync is also currently in the process of developing and conducting an extensive training process for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and schools across India in the usage and adaptation of the Growing Up/Badhte Hum modules.