Discovery of hope through HIV and AIDS edutainment
Stories Photos

According to the South African National HIV Survey in 2008, it is estimated that 10.9% of all South African over 2 years old were living with HIV in 2008.
South African HIV and AIDS epidemic has had devastating effects on children.  Research by AVERT states that approximately 280 000 individuals under the age of 15 were living with HIV in 2007, which almost doubled since 2001.  In most instances the virus was transmitted from the child’s mother.  Consequently, the HIV infected child is born into a family where the virus may have already had a severe impact, health, income, productivity and the ability to care for each other.

HIV and sex education exists within schools as past of the wider Life Orientation curriculum which was implemented on 2002.  The Change Agents project targets schools in KwaMashu, Amaoti and Inanda working with learners, training and developing peer leaders, educating parents/guardians and educators/teachers so they are informed about HIV/AIDS and other youth factors that affect the behaviour and choices of youth.

As problems with internalising information starts to replace lack of education as the major factor in HIV and AIDS transmission, the Change Agents use a customised program of edutainment, lifeskills sessions and personal reflection to challenge and equip learners to make informed decisions on their sexuality.  The team consists of 4 staff, 8 local volunteers and 2 international volunteers. 

The team travel to schools to conduct 4 day workshops educating learners on topics such as self-awareness, team work, HIV and AIDS, social assistance, Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), prevention, gender and stereotyping and discrimination. 

 

Day 1: Attention grabber – 45 minute energetic production filled with dancing and music on specific themes that will assist the youth:

  • HIV/AIDS definitions
  • General knowledge on HIV/AIDS

Day 2: Team building and Personal Development

  • Rights and assessing attitudes around the pandemic
  • Dealing with negative impact of HIV/AIDS through developing skills to cope

Day 3:  Information day

  • Youth are presented with statistics and facts about HIV/AIDS through the use of videos.
  • Participative learning will be done through creative exercises
  • Topics will be discussed: Prevention, transmission, voluntary counselling and testing, gender and stereotyping and discrimination

Day 4: Spiritual & Emotional Reflection Day:
Youth will share and express their own experiences on the impact of HIV/AIDS in their lives, e.g. poems and storytelling

Voluntary Counselling & Testing – the learners will be given an opportunity to test for the HIV virus. 

Through powerful imagery, drama, role playing and small-group activities, the Change Agents challenge, encourage and motivate young people to make decision in their own lives.  The aims of the team are to:-

  • Increase knowledge and understanding of personal development, reproductive health, gender and HIV and AIDS.
  • Encourage and motivate learners to become influencers through peer education programs who can then positively influence their peers.
  • Increase the knowledge of educators on the issues of HIV and AIDS so that they can provide support to learners infected and affected by the virus
  • Provide correct information so that learners can make informed decisions resulting in positive behavioural change.
  • To assist families by training parents/guardians to communicate with their children on sexual behaviour concerns of youth

 

Sometimes gradual development is seen, a learner who was quiet and shy on the teams arrival develops the confidence and self-esteem to enable him/her to stand up on the last day of the 4-day workshop and share their story.  Other times amazing conviction takes place within young people, which is seen by their ability to change their attitude and behaviour.