THE IT TAKES COURAGE! PROGRAM
Multi-tiered Educational Strategy
It Takes Courage! is a multi-tiered educational strategy designed to permeate a community with life saving messages which will reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and other behaviorally-driven health problems. We work toward:
- pastors and other community leaders speaking out about HIV/AIDS in the community and casting vision for positive change;
- parents/guardians applying positive parenting skills and teaching good values to their children;
- youth workers providing accurate medical information and appropriate behavior change messages for youth and their parents;
- youth aspiring to build a vision for their lives that includes becoming a person of character and encouraging their peers to do likewise;
- people of faith reaching out to their communities with the love and compassion that was modeled by Jesus.
Kerus partners with international secular and faith-based organizations, local agencies and churches to make the ITC! programs available in their communities. We offer specialized training programs for pastors, youth workers and parents; a 16-lesson youth curriculum; and, in partnership with Trans World Radio, a radio broadcast strategy that can permeate the larger community with our messages. The program includes educational materials in local languages, training for nationals as teachers and trainers, and strategic planning services that will help to cultivate leaders who can plan, implement and evaluate ITC! and other educational programs in their areas.
Many faith-based organizations are turning to the It Takes Courage! program because the program teaches values and messages that are presented in an engaging way for today’s culture and are consistent with biblical teachings. The educational products are available in faith-based versions and secular versions and are widely used in USAID funded projects, public school settings and in local churches. All of our materials are specifically designed for international use – simple teaching strategies, significant use of storytelling and illustrations and adaptable messages for different age groups.
Why Courage?
It takes a courageous person to cultivate a life of good character and good decision making – to become a person who will choose to do what is right, even when the cost is more than they want to pay. It takes courage to say no to sex outside of marriage, sacrifice for the benefit of another, challenge cultural norms, end stigma and discrimination, care for those sick or outcast, discuss issues of sexuality, and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Courage is needed when youth are under pressure, when adults are being criticized, and when community leaders are making policy. We believe that it will be impossible to change the course of many social problems, particularly HIV/AIDS, without men and women of courage and character to lead the way.
To learn more about the It Takes Courage! Program click on the links below:
It Takes Courage! Resource Guide
ITC! Youth Curriculum Package
ITC! Youth Curriculum Training Program
ITC! Pastors Vision Conference
ITC! Parent Seminar (ready in fall '09)
The Kerus Radio Project: Grandma ’s Village Radio Drama Series
