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South Africa Blog

Inspire

South Africa here we come

We’rrrrrre back! =)

Reunited with the Zimbanathi Project

Keeping things rollin’ with the Tsogang Sechab Community Project!

Turning a new leaf!

Nathaniel and Shamin go to Newcastle!

The Zulu Adventure Continues…

Sharing, Inspiring, and Creating with Youth Peer Educators in Hillcrest

Meeting our final youth group in Mtubatuba!

Our first second-day workshop…a great success!

A Productive Meeting with the Centre for AIDS Program Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)

Networking with HIVAN @ UKZN

LetsStopAIDS Does Bhekezulu…the sequel

Back in Hillcrest

Goodbye for now, Kwazulu Natal… See you again, soon! =)

Back in Joburg!

Our first second-day workshop…a great success!

Leaving directly from our last workshop in Mtubatuba, our LetsStopAIDS team headed 350 KM west returning to the Osiweni community. Arriving bright and early, youth were eagerly waiting at the community centre gate to realize that the gatekeeper had never showed up to open the centre. Nathaniel and Shamin came to the rescue by picking up the gatekeeper to ensure that the workshop may proceed. Today’s workshop focused extensively on leadership and the power the one can have, if they are given the opportunity to initiate a project.

The Osiweni youth were asked to return into their leadership groups and create a skit, dance, song, or poetry relating to HIV and leadership. Each groups’ performance was performed in bilingual (Zulu and English) representing their culture and how one can educate others about HIV and AIDS. Nathaniel and Shamin spent some time sharing stories and other interesting facts about Canada. This played out to be a very interesting session as there were many preconceptions of the Canadian lifestyle. LetsStopAIDS also encouraged the youth to take pride in their own country. Aside from the HIV pandemic, South Africa is a beautiful and attractive country in many other aspects. There is much to be proud of. We just hope that the youth we work with are now inspired to take ownership of the problems they see in their community and realize that there is a Nelson Mandela inside each and every single one of them – with the power to change their country and influence the world.

Shamin Mohamed Jr.

It’s pretty interesting to enter a community, in which you know very little about. There are many preconceptions that may come to mind, but the Osizweni community places a special little spot in my life. Dirt roads and a village where everyone knows everyone—was basically all I needed to hear to make me want to be there longer. I had the amazing opportunity to be reunited with thirty youth, who participated in our workshop.

Right from our little gatekeeper incident at the gate to the beginning of the workshop—the youth were eager and attentive. Education is such an important skill, and something that I know some people I know take it for granted. Education is contagious. You teach one person a skill, they will probably tell ten others. I guess this is sort of how stigma starts. We need to work with communities like Osizweni and organizations like KwaHilda. Why? Well, they definitely have the initiative and perseverance, but they need support. I’m not talking about financial support, but support that will stimulate community ideas and make them more tangible.

When we left KwaHilda, we had a brief meeting with the staff discussing how we can make this relationship last. Communication, relating to each others’ development seemed to be the mutual consensus. Looking back in the past, communication has been a key part in my life. Weak communication leads to a broken link, where you’ll never allow the chains to meet.

After that, the long drive back felt effortless and flew by quickly. I’m excited to see what will come out of this relationship. I’m excited for growth!

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