‘Press Releases’
Youth helping Youth
16 June 2010
For National Youth Day, OneVoice South Africa (OVSA) learners in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape honoured young people affected by the unrelenting effects of HIV and AIDS. Reaching out in partnership with OVSA – a dynamic non-governmental organisation working in schools to support a reduction in new HIV infections – learners wished to acknowledge the many young South Africans who are faced with the ongoing realities of losing parents/caregivers and family members.
OVSA learners arrived at the Ramakrishna Ethembeni Home to distribute clothes to orphans as part of their Schools Programme Advocacy Project. These projects play a pivotal role in the development of young people as it allows them the opportunity to discuss and identify HIV and AIDS related issues and other problems that affect them and the communities they live in. “Giving back to the community brings great satisfaction”, said an OVSA learner. (more…)
The Importance of Promoting Human Rights to Young People
19 March 2010
Basic nutrition and health care, shelter, and social services are some of the basic rights of children, enshrined in the South African Constitution (Section 28, Bill of Rights)…but how many young South Africans are actually aware of their rights?
OneVoice South Africa (OVSA), a non-governmental organisation which actively involves young people in HIV and AIDS prevention, has a dedicated Schools Programme that addresses issues around HIV and AIDS, life skills, sexual reproductive health, gender and human rights. Unfortunately, history has shown that young people are often ignored as the main role players in their own lives – including being adequately informed about the ‘rights’ they are entitled to. (more…)
World AIDS Day Sparks Awareness Campaign By and For Young People
1 December 2009
In honour of World AIDS Day, a group of OneVoice South Africa (OVSA) learners recently took centre stage, when they led their school peers and local community in an all-day HIV and AIDS awareness campaign.
While involved in the OVSA Schools Programme, these dynamic learners were encouraged to discuss and address HIV and AIDS and sexual reproductive health issues affecting their lives. During the interactive workshops, learners soon realised that their peers were in denial of the fact that everyone is affected by HIV and AIDS. They agreed that if they could persuade them to get tested for HIV, they might facilitate a change in attitude towards HIV and AIDS. With World AIDS Day rapidly approaching, the group decided to take action, and came up with the idea of an HIV and AIDS ‘awareness’ campaign.
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.
New HIV and AIDS organisation for young people is launched.
1 July 2009
OneVoice South Africa today announced the launch of their new organisation. Meaningful participation of young people is at the heart of its new HIV and AIDS prevention programme, which recognises that young people are not only the beneficiaries of such interventions, but are also proactive leaders in their communities.
Moving from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, young people are in a stage of transition, which is a time of both risk and opportunity for change. OneVoice South Africa acknowledges that young people are a great potential resource to themselves, their families, communities and societies. However, to be able to fulfill this inherent potential, young people need to be exposed to the knowledge and skills which allow them to make the best possible choices for their lives and futures.