Young People have a right to their future
March 2012
OneVoice South Africa (OVSA), a dynamic NGO partnering with young people on HIV and TB prevention, continues to reach young people (13-19 years) and helping them to take action in their own lives and communities.
Since its inception is 2009, OneVoice South Africa has taken the strong view that young people’s opinions need to be recognised, and incorporated in interventions that directly impact on their lives.
To date, OVSA’s Schools Programme, consisting of a series of 14 in-depth workshops addressing critical health issues – has been welcomed by learners in 15 schools across KwaZulu-Natal. Developed in support of the Department of Educations’ life Orientation Curriculum and the national response to HIV and TB – the workshop content promotes learner understanding and discussion of HIV and AIDS, TB, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender and human rights issues. In particular, it provides learners with a good understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights, basic HIV and TB science, their rights and how to exercise them, as well as other sexual and reproductive health and rights issues.
The programma also engages learners on addressing stigma, clears up myths and misinformation about HIV and AIDS and TB and teaches a number of life skills. The content includes provision for some creative reading, writing and speaking skills – and are also based on skills, knowledge and values development of learners. Correct information is known to increase confidence and empowers young people to assert their rights to dignity, respect and good healthy practises. The Schools Programme workshops are supported with contextualised, age-appropriate and gender and culturally-sensitive learner and facilitator materials. Content is update annually, and has been developed with the help of educational experts, OVSA staff, role players and stakeholders and the learners themselves. Specifically, the OVSA Facilitator Manual and Learner Notebook remain in line with national guidelines, as well as what is experienced on the ground. Excellent guidelines are also provided to OVSA Facilitators, who implement the programma – as well as learner assessment activities.
Concurrently, OVSA, in collaboration with The South African Medical Research Council are receiving a small grant from USAID, managed by the University Resarch Co., LLC. This TB prevention and early detection project is another intervention which provides for critical thinking and decision-making. Ultimately, OVSA and its partners, will continue to support young people to make better choices about critical health, sexuality ans sex, as well as human rights issues; choices that can change their futures for the better.
For more information on OVSA, please visit www.onevoice.org.za or mail info@onevoice.org.za