Objective:

•  Create an enabling environment for HIV+ and HIV- people, through IEC (information, education and communication) about STI's and HIV/Aids leading to informed behaviour

The programme, started in August 1999, focuses on educating schoolchildren from Moutse and surrounding areas. The idea is to reach them before they become sexually active. It consists of a peer education/counselling programme in which peer educators visit schools and put on a play about HIV/Aids. After the play, the peer educators hold information workshops, where they go into the problems surrounding sexuality, including HIV/Aids, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), sexual abuse, child abuse, promiscuity, incest, teacher/pupil relationships, etc. with the schoolchildren. If the schoolchildren want a more private environment, they are referred to our HIV/Aids advice centre next to the clinic where there are well-trained counsellors.

The peer educators were unemployed youths from Elandsdoorn who were motivated to educate their peer fellows. They were trained through programmes of the US Peace Corps and the department of health. In 2001 they attended a professional course in crisis debriefing and trauma counselling at the University of South Africa (Unisa). In 2000, the group was trained in putting on plays by Winie Froeling, a Dutch drama teacher. Janine Lewis, a lecturer in educational drama at the Pretoria Technikon's drama department has been coaching the group since February 2003. In October 2003 and October 2004, the group attended an extensive workshop on drama techniques presented by South African and Dutch actors and directors.

The programme is not only aimed at the young people from the surrounding townships, but it tries to create more awareness amongst all South Africans. On the R25 between Groblersdal and Bronkhorstspruit, for example, it has erected a series of billboards with slogans to draw the attention of everyone to this devastating crisis that is disrupting all facets of life in South Africa and will continue to do so in the years to come.

This programme is the start of a much larger concept, the creation of an HIV/Aids day care centre. The idea behind this project is to take HIV/Aids out of the taboo sphere and provide necessary care and support to patients affected by this epidemic, which is rapidly overwhelming us.