Adolescent Health Educator in Guyana

Job description

We are looking for U.S. citizens who want to be a part of something bigger and are willing to go the distance to make a difference. Is that you?

In more than 60 countries, Peace Corps Volunteers are putting their purpose, passion, and skills to work in partnership with welcoming host communities – growing, teaching, learning, and making change together.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you'll live and work alongside community members on locally prioritized projects, receiving a stipend and other support as you immerse yourself in a new culture. You’ll build relationships, exchange knowledge, and help transform lives for generations.

About the project

Want to support adolescents in building confidence and making healthy life choices? This opportunity in Guyana is for you!

Youth in Guyana face serious challenges, including depression, early pregnancy, unsafe sex, sexually transmitted infections, and violence. These issues are compounded by bullying, poor body image, low self-esteem, weak coping skills, and limited psychosocial support. Guyana has the second-highest suicide rate in the world, and adolescent mental health struggles are deeply rooted and multifaceted. Young people also encounter significant barriers to sexual and reproductive health information and services, often leaving them to make uninformed and risky decisions. Teenage mothers account for roughly one-fifth of all births in Guyana. While the Ministry of Education’s health and family life education curriculum includes comprehensive sexual and reproductive health content, teachers have requested more training to deliver the content more effectively. The Ministry of Social Cohesion’s Department of Youth offers community-based programs, but adolescents participate inconsistently.

As an Adolescent Health Educator, you will collaborate with health care workers and teachers to strengthen health education. Together, you will equip adolescents with the knowledge and skills to grow into informed, responsible adults. Your collective efforts will contribute to reduced rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, improved educational and employment outcomes, and a more productive workforce that supports national development.

Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Guyana project page.