"Young people are exposed to sexual and reproductive health problems due to lack of awareness".

Danil, aged 21 is one of six volunteer counsellors who run a free telephone hotline.

He was trained by Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) and has been a volunteer for four years, as well as being a student and a teacher in the evenings.

He learned about FGAE when he wanted to learn about sexual and reproductive health so he could be an informed adult, and was persuaded to become a peer to peer councillor.

"I am happy to be involved in disseminating reproductive health knowledge and bringing about behaviour change through communication. I enjoy my work for FGAE, it makes me happy that I can help people with their problems and refer them if necessary.

I take around 30 calls per day, mainly about love affairs, menstrual problems, abortion, HIV and VCT and from people who are scared of getting tested. 

I always try to set their mind at rest and if I can’t advise them over the phone I help them make an appointment with an FGAE expert at a clinic in their neighbourhood.

Most of the young people phone in with questions about HIV, I would like to have access to the most up to date information, better phones with headsets to give a quicker response.

I would like to expand the service to other sites and for it to be open 24 hours day.

At the moment the service has limited opening hours and no lunchtime cover. I would also like to be able to refer directly to a professional expert.

I feel that my work is important for young people and I am glad that I can help my peers with their problems, I find it satisfying when I really help someone".