PANAUTI-Schoolboy Pramod Sharma is a sex educator, and has given new meaning to the concept of 'peer education'. Teachers don't want to talk about sex in class, and ask students to read the sex education part of the course at home. In a society where sex talk is still taboo, 14-year-old Pramod has a difficult time teaching grown-ups. "It's much easier to educate children than adults, most of whom get furious," Pramod says. Despite criticism, he is determined to share his knowledge with everyone. His first challenge was to educate his father, a government officer. Dad was shocked and angry when his son suggested he carry a condom. But after his son explained he was involved in campaigning against sex-related diseases and HIV, Pramod's father started listening.

Over 75 school students like Pramod are volunteering as sex educators in Panauti to raise awareness about HIV prevention. Student volunteers go all the way to Banepa and Dhulikhel to talk about sex. "We have full confidence to educate anyone on this matter," says high school student Manju Thapa, who initially found the task daunting.