HIV&Me

HIV&Me is a nationwide schools-based HIV/AIDS education and prevention program that focuses on the prevention of HIV/AIDS by empowering educators with a toolkit and language to motivate young people particularly learners between the ages of 12 to 15 to make responsible and informed choices about their health and sexual behaviour and to thus reduce the transmission of HIV and subsequently the incidence of AIDS.

The school context presents an opportunity to help halt the epidemic with targeted prevention strategies. HIV&Me provides educational tools and materials that integrate scientific and social aspects of the epidemic and encourage pupils” active participation in the learning process. The program also aims to address the challenges teachers face in addressing HIV/AIDS in their classrooms.

Using teaching methods that encourage active experiential learning, teachers will be equipped to talk about sexual activity and the situations young people are faced with, and to inspire pupils to really consider the consequences of their behaviour and the choices they make. Issues around stigma, gender bias, and cultural challenges will be addressed and pupils will be provided with the skills to negotiate difficult or uncomfortable situations in order to better facilitate responsible decision making.

Sensitive to circumstance and reality, it also follows a model of inclusivity by promoting condom usage, abstinence and partner reduction. In addition, the programme deals with the issues of living positively and addresses the topics of care and support. Emphasis is placed on the importance of “knowing your status” and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is encouraged.

Implementation Approach — two year approach

Year 1

• Communication and planning with provincial DOE

• School identification and recruitment — with input of relevant DOE officials
• Principal and HOD strategy and implementation meeting
• Train the trainer workshop(all grade 8 NS and LO teachers and HODs as well as DOE officials in some sessions)
• In classroom co-teach and educator skills assessment
• Client feedback report 1/DOE feedback report 1
• Educator delivery of lessons within 3 months of training
• Ongoing telephone support and coaching from HIV&Me Program
• Evaluation/assessment/Client feedback report 2/DOE feedback report 2

Year 2

• Refresher training with Grade 8 teachers and HODs
• HIV&Me telephone support and coaching
• Client feedback report 3/DOE feedback report 3
• Program evaluation/assessment
• Delivery of training program with HOD monitoring
• Client feedback report 4/DOE feedback report

Indicators of Program Impact

• The change in educators” attitudes, motivation and beliefs as a result of the training
• The changes in educators” knowledge of HIV/AIDS and specifically the biological component
• The extent to which educators see themselves as change agents and for them to know their own HIV status.
• The ability of educators to deliver the programme effectively in their classrooms
• The change in knowledge of learners in relation to HIV/AIDS as a result of the programme
• The attitude shift amongst learners towards making informed and responsible lifestyle choices about health and sexual behaviour (including living positively)

Roll Out 2008-May 2009

During 2008, the programme was successfully implemented in various schools across the Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and the North West Province. Dedicated to promoting sustainability within schools by working more closely with the Department of

Education”s (DOE) existing HIV/AIDS and Curriculum framework, 2009 will commence with training Secunda and Sasolburg DOE branches, with specific focus on monitoring the quality of lesson delivery and assessing areas for growth and enhancement.

How to Partner with the Program for the June 2009/2010/2011 roll out

Each partner is invited to exclusively partner 20 schools of its choice in the 2009/10/11 rollout. This will reach an average of 120 educators and 7000 learners over the two year period. The partnership package includes an opportunity to be actively involved in the program, and to engage with the schools with whom they have partnered.

Benefits

• Use of this program for partners own internal & external purposes.
• High level of visibility in the target schools and region concerned i.e. all appropriate packaging, stationery, emails and website to state - HIV&Me Corporate Partner”.
• A joint press release to announce the partnership between the partner organization and HIV&Me.
• Exclusive branding on HIV&Me materials for partner supported schools.
• Partner”s name and logo on the HIV&Me website, with information about the organization and its activities.
• Provision of HIV&Me resources and materials for use in the workplace and/or within partner supported community based organisations.

For further info contact Jodi @ jodir@regency.org

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