Draft Curriculum for Male Motivators in Mangochi, Malawi

The initiative aims to teach young fathers parenting and relationship skills that can help improve the health of their families. The REAL Fathers Project is a collaborative effort between the Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University and Save the Children. The project focuses on working with young fathers between the ages of 16 and 25, supporting them in developing positive parenting and relationship skills while their expectations, attitudes, and behaviors about relationships are still being developed. A core activity in the project is mentoring, where carefully selected men in the community will work with young fathers. Mentors will offer young fathers the opportunity to reflect on and practice positive communication and conflict-resolution skills, as well as provide specific ways to be supportive partners. Young fathers' wives will be engaged through two mentoring visits and one group meeting. The REAL Fathers Initiative has developed a mentor training curriculum to prepare mentors to work with young fathers. The curriculum guides a five-day training, focusing on key concepts about gender, parenting, and relationships, as well as needed skills and resource materials. The training includes practical use of the Mentor Protocol, where mentors will gain experience with individual and couple home visits and group meetings. The curriculum is structured with clear objectives, advance preparation, materials needed, time, and instructions for facilitators. Each training session includes activities, such as ice breakers, group discussions, and role-playing exercises, to engage participants and promote learning. The REAL Fathers Initiative aims to support young fathers in developing positive fatherhood practices and non-violent couple communication skills. By working with mentors and engaging young fathers' wives, the initiative seeks to improve the health and well-being of families in Atiak, Amuru District, Northern Uganda. The curriculum includes a detailed agenda for the five-day training, outlining the objectives, activities, and materials needed for each session. The training focuses on key concepts, such as gender values and norms, parenting and relationships, and communication and conflict-resolution skills. The REAL Fathers Initiative has received support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Gender Roles, Equality and Transformations (GREAT) Project. The initiative aims to promote positive fatherhood practices and non-violent couple communication among young fathers in Northern Uganda. The mentor training curriculum is designed to prepare mentors to work with young fathers, focusing on key concepts and skills needed to support positive fatherhood practices and non-violent couple communication. The curriculum includes a detailed agenda, outlining the objectives, activities, and materials needed for each session. The REAL Fathers Initiative seeks to promote positive fatherhood practices and non-violent couple communication among young fathers in Northern Uganda. By working with mentors and engaging young fathers' wives, the initiative aims to improve the health and well-being of families in the region.