Young people talk about reproductive health in a strict Muslim district of Indonesia

Since June 2009, facilitators in Manonjaya, West Java, have been applying the Constellation’s approach in Adolescent Reproductive Health.

In Manonjaya, the team consists of 34 facilitators – young and older men and women living near the Puskesmas sub-district health center, as well as NGO workers. Since June they have conducted eight SALT visits and two self-assessments in their family, neighborhood, office and school.

“Something incredible happens in this land of strict Muslim religion. Lulu, a beautiful transgender person, is introducing the practices of the self assessment for reproductive health. 

Young people, men, women, local NGOs and health center staff listen attentively. They then engage in animated conversations about their own situation and the actions they will undertake to achieve their dream: their community able to deal with all aspects of reproductive health,” told Jean-Louis Lamboray, Constellation coach, on his blog.

Through the SALT process, facilitators changed their way of working. They take the time to listen, to stimulate and to ask questions. Facilitators and communities go beyond their prejudices.

"Previously I could only think negatively about IDUs,” said Ibu Nurhayati, “During the SALT visit, I saw that the IDUs had the strengths to dream and to pursue their dreams. After I visited the IDUs during the SALT visit yesterday, I had to think how my husband and I are educating our two kids. We should learn from the experience of the IDUs and help them pursue their dreams as well.”

Facilitators developed a self-assessment on Adolescent Reproductive Health with UNFPA in June 2009. The practices are the same as for AIDS Competence with three additional practices: Sexually Transmitted Infections, Family planning and culture/art/sport.

Download the self-assessment on Adolescent Reproductive Health