Durban NGO Commits to Educating Youth on HIV Prevention
15 August 2009
OneVoice South Africa launches in Durban this week with a mandate to defend our future.
Durban: New coastal NGO, OneVoice South Africa has committed itself to defending South Africa’s future. The organisation, launched in Durban this week, will focus on tactical interventions to educate young South Africans on HIV prevention. In South Africa, the majority of new infections occur among 15 to 24 year olds and it is within this social milieu that the organisation plans to promote meaningful participation in making informed decisions about health, lifestyle and sexual reproductive health.
Josianne Roma-Reardon Managing Director of OneVoice, says that the organisation presently engages with 73 schools in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern and Western Cape. “The programme leverages contextually relevant life skills programmes, designed to engage youth creatively, to encourage participation and build knowledge.” She says that by designing and implementing age, gender and culturally relevant programmes coupled with encouraging involvement of parents and care givers it is possible to raise awareness and understanding levels amongst young South Africans.
“It is our responsibility to defend our future,” says Roma-Reardon, “to educate and protect the “Generation Next” and build a foundation for healthy and successful living.” She adds that HIV and responsible lifestyle awareness should infiltrate every aspect of society, but that the key lies with the youth. “Young minds are receptive to creative and inclusive messaging and education. Whether it’s a question about delaying having sex, how the body changes during puberty or how to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections, including HIV – a safe and comfortable environment is required for young people to air their views and participate.” This, she says, is provided by OneVoice’s programme.
She says OneVoice is presently working on a new programme for implementation next year that should see an increase in participating schools with exponential growth in reach. The organisation also plans to launch a Youth Advisory Board to help guide and provide feedback on its programmes.
OneVoice South Africa is based in Durban (KwaZulu-Natal), with regional offices in East
London (Eastern Cape) and in Cape Town (Western Cape). The organisation is funded by
USAID and PEPFAR through Johns Hopkins Health and Education in South Africa.
OneVoice South Africa (formerly dance4life South Africa) officially launches in Durban on Wednesday 29 July 2009.
ENDS
Issued by:
Marcus Brewster Publicity
(011) 783 8222
On Behalf of Johns Hopkins Health and Education in South Africa