National Alapon and Rohingya Alapon
Project Period
National Alapon from 2015 and Rohingya Alapon from 2020 – Ongoing
Reporting Period
January 2023 – December 2023
Project Location
All over Bangladesh and Rohingya communities
Financial Partner
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Objective
The key objective of the project is to address adolescents and young boys and girls with the aim of grooming them into responsible, non-violent, healthy, and happy adults, as future partners, fathers, mothers, and caregivers with gender-equitable attitudes and practices.
Project Staff
Total Staff: 20 (Female-15, Male-5)
Target Beneficiaries
Adolescent & Youths aged 10-24 years.
Major Activities
- During the period, a total of 4 episodes of Facebook live sessions were broadcasted through the Kishore Batayon page and 12 Radio Alapon live sessions through Radio Naf.
- Quiz events were organised for both live sessions. Participants enjoyed and winners were given various tokens of appreciation.
- Alapon Helpline Counsellors conducted sessions for Youth volunteers, Institutional Heads, and on SBCC, MHPSS, GEMS and so on.
- 16,791 calls (F-12,094) attended through National and 2,585 calls attended (F-1,686) through Rohingya Alapon.
Facilitation Skill Development Training
This two-day participatory training was held from 12th-13th June, 2023 at Mumble Bangladesh. A total of 20 participants from Concerned Women for Family Development (CWFD) joined the training. Seventeen participants were professional Counsellors working with the Alapon Helpline to provide psychosocial support to the adolescent and youth community.
TOT on Comprehensive Life Skills Education for Facilitators
A three-day ToT-orientation for institution heads on GEMS and ASRHR was held for 37 participants including Psychosocial Counsellors, Assistant Inspectors, Research Officers, Upazila academic supervisors, District training coordinators, and Field Managers (Noakhali). The training was held from 1-3 September 2023 in the conference room of BRAC CDM, Savar Dhaka.
Orientation for IP Staff and Vendor’s Training on Cash and Voucher Assistance
As part of the readiness phase of Anticipatory Action for response to monsoon flood, Vendor’s Training on Voucher Assistance was held at Chuti Resort, Purbachal, Dhaka during 23-24 August 2023. The Alapon team took part to conduct several sessions to enhance the knowledge of the participants on related issues duly.
Training on GBV & SRHR in Humanitarian Settings for Psychosocial Counsellors of Alapon Helpline
A four-day long participatory training for building the capacity of Counsellors, was held during 23-26 October, 2023. The venue was Hotel Beach Way, Cox’s Bazar.
Workshop on “Empowering Adolescents and Youth: Enhancing Knowledge through Online Platforms”
The Alapon team, CWFD, arranged a day-long workshop on Enhancing Knowledge through Online Platforms for effective digital content. The workshop was held on 5 December, 2023 at Bengal Canary Park, Dhaka.
Workshop on Data and Digital Tools for an Inclusive Non-Profit
During 5-7 November 2023, a Data and Digital Tools workshop was held at MUMBLE. The workshop included topics on data analysis, research processes, data visualization, using AI for research, and a master class on MS Excel.
Training on ASRHR and First Aid in Emergency
Concerned Women for Family Development (CWFD) recently organized a four-day long training on “ASRHR and First Aid in Emergency for Adolescent Leaders and Youth Platform members.” The training was scheduled during 17-20 December, 2023.
Major Achievements
- Bangla dubbing has been done for 10 AMAZE videos on SRHR and GBV.
- Participated in the National Adolescent Health Conference organised by the National Adolescent Health Conference Secretariat and received the 2nd Best Journal Presenter Award at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Dhaka.
- Participated in the Smart Education Festival organized by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) at the International Mother Language Institute, Dhaka.
- Promoted Alapon Helpline by providing counselling sessions and stall representation at St. Xavier’s Girls High School: “National Health Festival-2023” organized by Xavierian Health Club, Dhaka.
- Participated in the Roundtable discussion on MHPSS at the French Embassy.
- Participated as a panelist in the roundtable discussion on NGO and INGOs’ role in the mental health of adolescents.
A Significant Successful Case
“Nitu” (pseudonym) was a 14-year-old unmarried girl who said that her mother did not give her fish, meat, and eggs to eat during menstruation, as her mother believes that if she eats these foods, there will be a bad effect on her health. She wanted to know whether there is any limitation to eating these foods during menstruation. The counsellor explained to the caller that there is no limitation on eating fish, eggs, or meat during menstruation. The counsellor also emphasized that adolescence is a time of physical growth, so it is necessary to eat nutritious and iron-rich foods for physical development. The counsellor provided information on the best sources of iron that our body easily absorbs, including meat and fish, leafy greens, dried beans, peas, etc. These foods have no negative impact on menstruation or health. After receiving this information, the caller felt very relieved and said that she had received valuable information which she would share with her mother, family members, and friends. She also mentioned that this helpline is very necessary for providing essential information to raise awareness and thanked the counsellor.
Challenges
- Call charges
- Interrupted calls
- Unpredictable funding for continuation
Opportunities
- Scale up nationally
- Start in-person therapeutic services
- Develop partnerships with different referral centers for MHPSS and other services
- Conduct user research and customize the services accordingly
Alapon is continuing its services with many achievements and activities. By raising awareness, it enables people to ask their queries and receive adequate services from the Helpline.
