Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Two young staff members of the Human Touch Foundation, Sandhya Chawan, Lead of Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, and Usha Pawar, Program Assistant for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, represented India at the Asia Pacific Workshop on TeenGen v.2 in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop took place from 28th January to 1st February 2024 and was organized by Youth LEAD, supported by the UNFPA Regional Office and the UNESCO Bangkok Regional Office.
TeenGen, a transformative leadership course introduced by Youth LEAD in 2017, focused on reaching adolescents from key populations aged 13-16. The program aimed to mobilize and identify potential activists who could contribute to the broader youth movement engaged in addressing HIV issues, upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights, and included comprehensive components on Sexuality Education.
Human Touch Foundation has been a pioneer in the field of youth-driven programs, particularly in the domain of health and wellbeing, with a sharp focus on HIV, substance abuse, and sexual and reproductive health. The foundation’s commitment to empowering adolescents and young people has garnered recognition from regional and global organizations.
In 2018, the Human Touch Foundation hosted the National Level TeenGen Workshop, bringing together over 40 adolescents and young people from 8 different states, with invaluable support from UNAIDS. This event marked a significant milestone in the foundation’s journey to create awareness and mobilize youth towards positive change.
Reflecting on their participation, Sandhya Chawan stated, “We were honoured to represent India in the Asia Pacific Workshop on TeenGen v.2. This opportunity allowed us to bring back valuable knowledge and insights to further enrich our programs at Human Touch Foundation, ultimately benefiting the youth we serve.”
Usha Pawar added, “Engaging with a diverse group of young leaders from across the Asia Pacific region was an incredible learning experience. We looked forward to not only sharing our experiences but also learning from the innovative approaches adopted by our counterparts.”
Human Touch Foundation extended its gratitude to Youth LEAD, UNFPA Regional Office, and UNESCO Bangkok Regional Office for their support and recognition of its commitment to adolescent health and wellbeing. The foundation remained dedicated to pioneering exceptional programs that empower the youth and contribute to the betterment of society.
