From high school to university
When Mona Keshipopyeni arrived at university, she carried big dreams and quiet fears.
“I was excited to finally be independent,” she says. “But I also felt overwhelmed. There were so many decisions to make, especially about relationships and my health.”
For many first-year students, the transition from high school to university can be both liberating and daunting. It is a time of exploration — but also vulnerability. Recognizing this, Namibia is redefining student well-being through strategic investments in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) education under UNESCO’s Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future Plus (O3 PLUS) programme.
New tools shaping campus life
At the heart of this transformation are two tools now shaping campus life: the Basic Counselling Training Manual for Peer Educators and the First-Year SRH Guide.
“These are not just documents,” explains Ms. Nanja Limbo, Student Counsellor at the University of Namibia (UNAM). “They are lifelines.”
The Peer Educators Training Manual was developed in collaboration with institutions including University of Namibia (UNAM), International University of Management (IUM), Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL), and Windhoek Vocational Training Centre (WVTC) to standardize peer-to-peer counselling across campuses. It equips student leaders with practical skills to provide compassionate, informed support to their peers.
“Young people entering higher education are under immense pressure,” Ms. Limbo says. “They are navigating independence, relationships, and choices that can shape their futures. Having trained peer educators makes a real difference.”
For Mona, who now serves as a peer educator at IUM, the decision to step into this role was personal.
“I chose to become a peer counselor because life has good and bad times. When things are good people are happy but when things are tough many try to hide their feelings instead of talking about them. I decided to be someone who listens and help others no matter what they are going through.”
Armed with the counselling manual, Penny and other peer educators now create safe spaces where students can speak openly about relationships, consent, mental health, HIV prevention, and gender-based violence.
Complementing this effort is the First-Year SRH Guide — a practical, accessible resource given to new students as they begin their tertiary journey. The guide introduces students to their sexual health rights, healthy relationships, HIV prevention, mental well-being, and youth-friendly SRH services available on campus.
“A first year often comes with big dreams and excitement to explore,” says Ms. Limbo. “Sadly, some explorations can lead to life-changing outcomes. That is why the SRH Guide is essential. It empowers each student with knowledge and reminds them that they are responsible for their lives.”
She has already witnessed the shift.
“It has been rewarding to see first year students visit my office to discuss SRH matters with the intention to clarify and make informed choices,” she says. “Most importantly, they feel safe to talk about sexual matters — as youth who will become our future leaders.”
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/building-confident-futures
