It is said that taking responsibility for yourself gives you true freedom and the power to create what you want to achieve in life. The Raphael Centre is encouraging high school youth to be responsible and be conscious about HIV/AIDS.
It is said that taking responsibility for yourself gives you true freedom and the power to create what you want to achieve in life. The Raphael Centre is encouraging high school youth to be responsible and be conscious about HIV/AIDS.
Last week, the centre celebrated young people – predominanty from Nathaniel Nyaluse and Khutliso Daniels High Schools – who have taken responsibility for their own health and are proactive in the field of HIV prevention.
The event took place at Nathaniel Nyaluza and included the handing over of a bicycle to one lucky scholar. The youngsters had been encouraged to go along to the Raphael Centre to get tested for HIV.
If they did so, they were entered into a raffle for the bike. The winner was Thembinkosi Ngqoyiya who unfortunately couldn't be there to receive it, so Nathaniel Nyaluza Principal, Zakunzima Tyala, accepted it on his behalf.
The Centre says that 40% of all those who test positive for HIV are between the ages of 15-25. For this reason they decided to approach eight high schools, offering them discussions and information sessions on HIV.
Staff at the Centre say a lot of young people are misinformed on the subject and don't know the right informationt to keep themselves safe. They also say that, according to recent statistics in South Africa, adolescent women between from ages 15-18 years are eight times higher likely to contract HIV than men.
The reason for this is that girls are more likely to be enticed into having sexual relationships with someone older, wealthier or more powerful.
The centre is currently planning to visit other high schools in Grahamstown, to suggest learners get tested, again using the bicycle raffle as an incentive.
