Madagascar
Youth Transformation: The Ankoay Programs and the Red Card Campaign
". this is a cool thing to do on Sunday afternoons!"
 Sitraka, a cheerful 21-year-old who lives in a modest home on the outskirts of Tana, has been involved in scouting since she was young. When she first heard of the Ankoay program a year ago, all she knew was that it was named after the a Malagasy eagle that represents honor and independence - and that it had something to do with preventing AIDS. The Ankoay program offers scouting troops a program of education and activities to enhance their knowledge about reproductive health, relationships, STIs and HIV. As the troops complete their training, they are certified as "Ankoay."
As she began working through the first of the twenty-five activities in the Ankoay book with her scout troop, she thought, "this is a cool thing to do on Sunday afternoons." She had fun acting out the skits - and was particularly adept at playing outraged at a cheating boyfriend. Volunteering to act this sketch out at a local festival, she found herself nervous but proud on stage before her parents and peers.
As the weeks went on, Sitraka found herself behind a megaphone talking about Ankoay at all sorts of events. In private, she started talking to her friends about relationships, about STIs and HIV, and about the risks they face in their own lives.
Last week, Sitraka's scout troop was officially named Ankoay, as 60 troops have now been across Madagascar.
In a new initiative called the 'Red Card' campaign, made possible by the success of the Ankoay Scout, School and Sport programs, girls are given red cards and encouraged to use them to say "stop" in risky situations, and to start conversations about normally taboo subjects.
Sitraka recently participated in a focus group concerning the Red Card. Towards the end of the session, she decided to speak up. "You know, I've actually already used the red card - with my boyfriend one night." she was stopped short by an explosion of giggles rifling through the younger participants. "Hey.it worked!" she cut in, redirecting her peers' attention. "He understood, and now we both know where we stand." The other girls glanced at each other, and then back at her. "I hope you try it, too," she added.
When Sitraka was asked to act in the new "Red Card" TV spots, she jumped at the occasion. She plays a girl who is asking for advice about how to use the red card in different situations. But, to be sure, it was Sitraka herself who was giving the others advice between takes.
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