The programme is a direct response to the fact that the spike of HIV infection among school leavers indicates a greater tolerance of risk rather than ignorance of risk. “We have come to realise that many young people put themselves at risk not because they don't know how to protect themselves, but because they have very little reason to protect themselves,” says loveLife CEO, Grace Matlhape.
Over the next five years, Connected! will focus on the analytical, innovation and management skills of 5000 young leaders, drawn from marginalised communities across South Africa. By harnessing and educating youth, the programme will guide them to look for opportunities, create opportunities and inspire a positive attitude that will contribute towards a lower tolerance of risky behaviour. All participants would have graduated from loveLife's national peer education initiative, the groundBREAKER (gB) and mpintshi (buddie) volunteer leadership programmes.
“We are very excited that through this new co-operation on the Connected! programme we are contributing to the start of a new national initiative with a new vision in HIV prevention approaches. We recognised that addressing a high-risk group with innovative prevention approaches is key to making a difference in South Africa. We strongly believe that providing young adults with some perspectives for their future will contribute to reduced risk behaviour and developing role models for their peers,” says CEO DED Dr Juergen Wilhelm.
Barloworld shares DED's vision and, according to the Head of CSI Jennifer Smith, they “have been struck by the talent and quality of young people emerging from loveLife's programmes in some of South Africa's least resourced and most invisible communities. They will become the leaders of tomorrow in all walks of life if we continue to develop them as agents of change and connect them to opportunity.”
The pilot phase of Connected! will be initiated towards the end of this year under the headship of HIV/Aids activist, Dr David Harrison.
