SIYAFUNDISA Programme Overview

Siyafundisa is an HIV/AIDS prevention programme that was launched in September 2005 to fight this pandemic disease through behavior change (abstinence and being faithful). It is aimed at children and youth between 10 and 24 and the main objectives of this programme are, to increase abstinence until marriage, to increase “secondary abstinence” among youth and adults who have previously initiated into sexual activities but not yet married, to increase fidelity in marriages, to increase VCT referrals resulting in safer behavior and to decrease risky and harmful behavior among young people. 40 Percent of children and youth are at high risk due to age, stage of development, dependence, poverty and media. And, because research proves that most young people talk, think and learn best about sensitive topics with other young people. We are implementing a skill based HIV prevention education through a youth peer education programme callled (Arebuisaneng). This peer education programme is a process whereby trained supervisors assist a group of suitable young people to educate their peers in a structured manner and to recognize peers in need of help and refer them for assistance. Siyafundisa has trained 80 young people in the Diocese of Christ the King as peer educators between June 2006 and June 2007 and those parishes who already facilitates structured lessons to young people are St.Lukes-Evaton, Holy Trinity-Turffontein, Holy Innocent-Finetown, St. Lawrence-Small Farms and St. John’s Boipatong. And parishes that are to be trained between October 2007 and October 2008 are St. Michaels-Sebokeng, St Mary’s-Rosettenville, St. Mary Magdalene-Sebokeng, St. Nicholas-Ennerdale and St. Cyprians-Sharpeville. The programme selects five parishes to be trainined each year and the parishes that are not yet reached will be included into the next training panel until all the parishes have been trained. “Good things come to those who wait.” By: Odridge Dingalo Fieldworker-Siyafundisa Programme Diocese of CTK-Highveld Pretoria & Joburg