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Introduction
Leading up
to the Schools Programme HIV/AIDS affects young people all over
the world; as young people become sick themselves, or, they lose their parents
as a consequence of HIV and AIDS. Unfortunately, this is no easy task, as
according to the Kaiser Family Health Foundation, given the current rate of
infection, South African teenagers stand a 50% chance of contracting HIV during
their lives, with half of South Africa’s new HIV infections occur before the age
of 25. Fortunately, there are many committed and dynamic projects in South
Africa and the world, who like Dance4Life, aim to call a halt to HIV and AIDS by
mobilizing young people to stand united in the face of the epidemic. What is
the Schools Programme?
Based on the
premise that an impact on knowledge and awareness, could
influence behaviour change, the Schools Programme
is developed around a targeted life skills curriculum in
schools. The curriculum focuses on a multi-disciplinary
approach, and uses dance, drama, video screenings and
drumming, to impart sexual reproductive health skills in
an informal, innovative and exciting workshop format.
This approach is designed to involve youth in such a
way, that it encourages them to adopt and accept the
life skills necessary to prevent HIV infection and make
better life and sexual reproductive health choices.
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Dance4Life South Africa is has compiled and is
piloting a new curriculum in 10 selected schools
in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape in October
2006. We have used parts of various curriculums
available, including Today’s Choices and the
Tsha Tsha drama series.
We are working with DramAide as an
implementing partner to reach out to selected schools in the two provinces, and
have enlisted the services of an external evaluator to provide ongoing
evaluation, as well as a final evaluation report, that will enable us to revise
the curriculum in preparation for a roll-out to a wider audience in 2007.
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Throughout 2007, the ‘new’ life skills
curriculum will be rolled-out in 20 schools in
the Western Cape and 20 schools in KwaZulu
Natal. In 2008 the Dance4Life Schools Programme
Coordinator will visit the Eastern Cape and look
at bringing on board some 5 new schools.
A recent development in the South African
Schools Programme, sees ACT4LIFE introduce a
Youth based SRH Advocacy Project that aims to
actively encourage and provide the necessary
skills for young people to be proactive in
changing SRH issues for themselves.
It is pivotal to provide young people with
skills that ensure that either in their present
situations, or any future situation when change
is needed, they can be successful in
necessitating those changes. The project will be
implemented in the schools in which we currently
implement our Life Skills Project in the Western
Cape and KwaZulu Natal.
The
Dance4Life Event
Youth involved in the Schools Programme’s life skills orientated curriculum can
look forward to a mobilising, rewarding and informative dance or
exhibition-style event every other year, on the Saturday before World AIDS Day.
The event and/or exhibition, will comprise of any number of activities,
including musical performances by local and international artists, a
dance-a-thon, as well as an anticipated opportunity for youth to exhibit the
life skills they have learned to potential employers, as part of a youth
conference.
Fundraising
But it won’t
stop at dancing and talking! Dance4Life wants to
raise millions of Rands for the continuation and
development of a relevant, successful and continuing
Schools Programme, that will ensure that the money
goes where it is most needed, namely, in developing
and supporting youth to become ‘agents of change’ in
their own lives, as well as having an impact on
those of others.
Information for sponsors
Sponsors can
find a host of synergies, through linking and
branding opportunities through which could support
the youth of South Africa e.g. by sponsoring a
student to dance non-stop for 4 hours at the event,
by making a donation to the Schools Project, by
supporting the Dance4Life SA website, or through
becoming a Dance4Life ambassador.
For
more information please contact:
Marlijn van
Berne Communications & Research Coordinator
Dance4Life South Africa Tel: +27 (0)31 2020555 Fax:
+27 (0)31 2020585
Schools Project Coordinator As above
Physical and
Postal Address: FNB House Office 206 151 Musgrave
Road Musgrave, Durban, 4001, SOUTH AFRICA
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