SOCIAL PROTECTION: Improving quality of life
by Greg Nicolson,
2014-11-20 07:01:33.0
Training youth to education peers on HIV/AIDS, sexuality and life skills
KEITUMETSE Rampheri WAS in a community centre in Alexandra when she saw a group of young people in loveLife t-shirts. In between high school and further studies, the 20-year-old wanted to develop her leadership skills. “I saw an opportunity ... I didn’t have anything to do,” she says. So she asked how to get involved.
In the state’s attempts to ensure all South Africans achieve a decent minimum standard of living, the NDP envisages a broadening of social protection guarantees that should be easily accessible to those who need them most. To empower youth and address the social behavioural patterns relating to HIV/AIDS, the Department of Social Development plans to work closely with loveLife.
loveLife’s Groundbreakers programme has more than 1,200 full-time peer educators aged between 18 and 25 who are trained to impart information and encourage discussion on healthy sexuality and positive lifestyles. To reach other youth, they learn skills in community mobilisation, presentation, facilitation and project and event management and are deployed to schools and clinics in their communities. While they lead discussions on a range of healthy lifestyle issues, the department is effectively partnering with loveLife to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and reduce the rate of new infections.
Rampheri volunteered at loveLife for three months before training as a Groundbreaker in February 2014. She receives a monthly stipend of R1,200 and visits both primary and high schools in Alexandra to hold sessions on healthy living. The Groundbreakers programme starts with activities on identity and developing the confidence to confront challenges. It covers topics related to body image, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and drugs. “I think it’s one of the solutions to make a difference in our communities.”
She says students often have no one to turn to for advice and find it difficult to talk to their parents about sensitive topics such as sex.
Rampheri is balancing her work at loveLife with studying human resource management at college, but “knowing that there is someone out there who wants to be helped”, she is now considering a career as a social worker. Her goals align with the state: she believes young people can help their peers to create a better future.
Picture: THINKSTOCK
Training youth to education peers on HIV/AIDS, sexuality and life skills
KEITUMETSE Rampheri WAS in a community centre in Alexandra when she saw a group of young people in loveLife t-shirts. In between high school and further studies, the 20-year-old wanted to develop her leadership skills. “I saw an opportunity ... I didn’t have anything to do,” she says. So she asked how to get involved.
In the state’s attempts to ensure all South Africans achieve a decent minimum standard of living, the NDP envisages a broadening of social protection guarantees that should be easily accessible to those who need them most. To empower youth and address the social behavioural patterns relating to HIV/AIDS, the Department of Social Development plans to work closely with loveLife.
loveLife’s Groundbreakers programme has more than 1,200 full-time peer educators aged between 18 and 25 who are trained to impart information and encourage discussion on healthy sexuality and positive lifestyles. To reach other youth, they learn skills in community mobilisation, presentation, facilitation and project and event management and are deployed to schools and clinics in their communities. While they lead discussions on a range of healthy lifestyle issues, the department is effectively partnering with loveLife to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and reduce the rate of new infections.
Rampheri volunteered at loveLife for three months before training as a Groundbreaker in February 2014. She receives a monthly stipend of R1,200 and visits both primary and high schools in Alexandra to hold sessions on healthy living. The Groundbreakers programme starts with activities on identity and developing the confidence to confront challenges. It covers topics related to body image, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and drugs. “I think it’s one of the solutions to make a difference in our communities.”
She says students often have no one to turn to for advice and find it difficult to talk to their parents about sensitive topics such as sex.
Rampheri is balancing her work at loveLife with studying human resource management at college, but “knowing that there is someone out there who wants to be helped”, she is now considering a career as a social worker. Her goals align with the state: she believes young people can help their peers to create a better future.
Change: -0.47%
Change: -0.61%
Change: 0.53%
Change: -0.42%
Change: -2.12%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: -0.46%
Change: -0.15%
Change: -0.47%
Change: 0.00%
Change: -0.20%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: -1.29%
Change: -1.30%
Change: -0.82%
Change: -1.44%
Change: -1.24%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: 0.66%
Change: 1.46%
Change: 1.51%
Change: 0.00%
Change: 0.89%
Data supplied by Profile Data