Youth-Friendly Health Center "AGAPE" – Continuous Support for Young People

As part of the initiative “Promoting Youth Services and Non-Formal Education in Cahul,” the team of the Regional Center for Community Development conducted an interview with the Youth-Friendly Health Center “AGAPE,” which supports young people aged 10 to 24. This discussion highlighted the importance and profound impact of CSPT “AGAPE” in the community, always present and offering irreplaceable support. For more details, we invite you to read the full article. 

1. How long has the Youth-Friendly Health Center in Cahul been active and what is its purpose?

CSPT “Agape” was created on October 10, 2012, with the aim of improving the health status of young people and adolescents and creating favorable conditions for their development and integration into society by increasing access to youth-friendly health services.

2. What are the core values you promote through your activities?

Healthy lifestyle, tolerance, non-judgment, non-violence, confidentiality, anonymity, acceptance, non-discrimination.

3. Do you organize events or campaigns to raise awareness of the problems faced by young people? 

Yes, we organize information campaigns inside the Center on international days, activities in the park, collaborative information sessions, meetings with decision-makers, etc.

4. What are the biggest challenges and obstacles you currently face?

One of the main challenges is the difficulty of reaching each young person individually with our services. The main obstacle is the lack of key medical staff, such as gynecologists, dermatologists, urologists, etc.

5. What are the most successful projects you have been involved in that had a significant impact? 

One of the most successful projects is YK Mobile this year, funded by UNICEF, through which we received a mobile clinic vehicle. Using this vehicle, we serve our institutions in the more remote villages of Cahul district, thus bringing our services closer to beneficiaries. Another successful project is the Social and Behavioral Change Strategy among youth in Cahul district on key issues (2017–2019).

6. What categories of activities do you offer to young people in Cahul and its surroundings?

We offer information, education, communication activities, counseling, medical services, referral, outreach services, organizational-methodological assistance, psycho-emotional support for pregnant adolescents, and psychosocial support for professionals.

7. How many young people currently benefit from the center's services and what is their feedback?

In the past year, we served 7,200 beneficiaries through consulting services, IEC, and organizational-methodological activities. They appreciate not only the positive results in solving their problems but also the confidentiality of our services. Moreover, young people become more confident and develop self-respect.

8. We know you have volunteers at the Center. What does a typical volunteer program look like?

Our volunteers meet at our Center on Tuesdays and Fridays. On these days, the volunteer coordinator organizes informative and instructional sessions. Then, volunteers work together to create informational materials for our Center and distribute them in the territory.

9. What do volunteers say about their experiences at the Center?

Our volunteers mentioned that their experience at the Center was beneficial. Many received volunteer certificates, which were welcomed by those studying abroad or in medical faculties. This helped strengthen their self-confidence and develop skills in a real work environment. Furthermore, their participation in the Center’s activities helped them make more connections and form new friendships.

10. What advice do you have for young people who wish to become volunteers at CSPT “AGAPE”?

If you want to become more self-confident and learn more about a healthy lifestyle, we invite you to CSPT “AGAPE.”

11. What message would you like to convey to young people and the community of Cahul?

Our message to the youth and community of Cahul is that we want every young person to be healthy both physically and emotionally. We want them to know that there are specialists available to support them whenever needed within CSPT “AGAPE.”

You can find CSPT “AGAPE” at 27 Ștefan cel Mare St., Cahul (Cahul Policlinic, 5th floor).

Phone number: 0299 23-9-35

Email: cspt.agape@bk.ru

This interview was conducted by the Regional Center for Community Development as part of the local initiative “Promoting Youth Services and Non-Formal Education in Cahul.” The initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), within the regional project “Strengthening Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries.”

Project partner: CONTACT Center.