Individuals Reached Regarding HIV Prevention through Abstinence and Being Faithful:

During this first six months of FY2009, the Siyafundisa (Zulu for “teaching our children”) Project reached 6865 young people with HIV prevention messages AND the personal skills critical to acting on that information. This represents 71% of the semi-annual target of 9,731 (annual target of 32,340). These young people have been reached through structured lessons (Peer Education and Life Skills Programs), peer counseling sessions and the reach of their peers. They have discussed HIV/AIDS and stigma, values, relationships, love, bullying and explored self-esteem, gender imbalance, decision-making, caring and support, peer pressure and more. The project “reaches” rather than “preaches;” it engages the youth in exploring their values and reinforcing where their true self-interests lie. Each young person is encouraged to think and act for him/herself.

This “reach” was possible because of available support, enabling the hiring and training of additional staff; the facilitation of exceptional teamwork; and a high level of commitment and energy on the part of both staff and volunteers. In these past six months, the Project has only had to replace one staff member. Everyone working on the project acknowledges a very real and significant commitment to the Project and the work it is doing. The high level of staff retention is a significant Project strength. The people who work on this Project care passionately about it – good sound leadership has its rewards!

Individuals Trained to Promote HIV Prevention through Abstinence and/or Being Faithful:

During the first half of FY2009, Siyafundisa also conducted 49 training programs through which it trained 980 Field Workers, Peer Education Supervisors, Peer Educators and Life Skills Facilitators. This represents 151% of the semi-annual target of 649 (annual target 1,298) that the Project set out to train, per the FY2009 Country Operational Plan (COP). Those trained have received teachings on human sexuality, HIV prevention, stigma reduction, problem-solving, training, interpersonal skills, mentoring, facilitation, gender, STIs, VCT, program planning and presentation, data collection and reporting and more.