Jaya Muni, a tribal girl, became an orphan at the age of 8 and now lives in a small thatched house with her uncle and aunt. After her father's death, her mother remarried, leaving Jaya behind. Faced with hardship, she had to drop out of school in ninth grade to assist her aunt with domestic chores. Over time, she matured and became a pillar of support for her aunt and uncle, both of whom work as daily laborers in construction.

In the village, out of 26 girls, 17 adolescent girls are not attending school, while 9 continue their education. Jaya Muni has been a regular participant in village meetings and is known for her leadership qualities and excellent communication skills. Recognizing her potential, the project team identified her as a peer educator. After attending a five-day peer educator training, Jaya returned to Chadakmara with newfound knowledge and confidence.

Armed with these skills, she set out to establish an adolescent girls' club from scratch in her village. She gathered her friends, organized regular meetings, and worked tirelessly to equip the adolescent girls with essential life skills that would serve them well in the future. Jaya took on the role of leader, keeping track of attendance and ensuring the accurate dissemination of information. She shared vital messages about HIV/AIDS, explaining how it spreads, its modes of transmission, available counseling services, and preventive measures.

The adolescent girls in their village now actively participate in various activities, including cultural events, sports, and arts, all centered around the theme of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. "As members of the Adolescent Club, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Mercury Phoenix Trust for their funding support, which has empowered us with knowledge and brought us together in our collective mission to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS."

I am delighted to be a peer educator, I am self driven & motivated to bridge the information & knowledge gaps among my peers on HIV/AIDS & clarifying myth & misconception, really enjoying my role