Some say it’s empowering to learn your HIV status, others say its better not to know, Ikageng Ikamvanites decided to take control over their lives and know their HIV status. On the 27th July 2013, IY Ikageng branch dedicated the day for HIV awareness and testing.
The Potchefstroom Hospital’s wellness centre team led by Mr. Ramasimong conducted the health awareness workshop as well as HIV Testing and Counselling. The team took us through HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment as well as care. They encouraged Ikamvanites to empower themselves to be in charge of their own decisions, and make getting tested a regular lifestyle. They provided information on local testing centres and contact persons.
Mr. Ramasimong emphasised that whether you’ve tested positive or negative, everyone has a role to play in ending HIV/AIDS pandemic. He encouraged Ikamvanites to stop procrastinating and get tested in campaign for an HIV/ AIDS-free generation. He further encouraged everyone to be part of the solution by always talking to their partner about knowing their status and getting tested before having sex. Ramasimong said ‘If you’re negative, stay negative by using protection each and every time and getting tested regularly’.
”If you’re positive, get treated, though there is no cure yet, there are very effective treatments measures available to help people living with HIV live long healthy lives through use of protection and recomended treatment measures.” The awareness followed individual voluntary testing and counselling on IkamvaYouth staff, tutors and learners
A follow up testing procedure will be arranged in 3 months’ time.
Fear is the biggest destroyer which Ikamvanites managed to conquer, given that we live in an era where treatment is available, HIV is not a death sentence as it is commonly thought to be. Instead, the biggest killer is ignorance. Not knowing your status puts you and others at risk.
Lack of knowledge about HIV results in stigmatization and discrimination hindering chances of an HIV/AIDS free generation as the afected and infected would turn a blind ear in fear of banishement and getting ignored or shunned by their families, communities and work colleagues.
Winter School 2013 Week 1
Week 1 of Winter School 2013, all the preparations and hard work in the previous months have come down to this event. The Monday morning was a little hectic, with the bus service running slightly behind schedule for the Umlazi learners. By the time it hit 9 am, the team was already working hard to make sure everything goes as planned.
The venue for this year was DUT (Durban University of Technology, our kind sponsors), and once again the two KZN branches collaborated and held a joint Winter School, which resulted in having 220 learners and 50 volunteers.
The KZN Team designed the beautiful T-shirts to go with the theme for the KZN Winter School which was “my future is in my hands”. The idea behind it was to remind and reinforce to the learners that they are in the driver’s seat of their own futures. To go hand in hand with the theme a beautiful sketch was drawn by N’thabiseng Zwane from the Umlazi branch. It depicts the world, with various careers, being held by a pair of hands and the image is visual representation of the statement “my future is in my hands”.
The winter school time table (Monday to Thursday) was structured in such a way that mornings would consist of academic tutoring, and the afternoons reserved for activities such as life skills workshops and talks, exercise sessions, and MIE activities and the first Friday was reserved for excursions for all the grades.
One of the first creative activities that were done by the learners was a session encouraging them to reflect on what our winter school theme (My Future is in My Hands) means to them. All the learners had to make “hands” out of paper that represent what the slogan means to them. Some of the learners really put their heart and soul into the creative session. Learners were offered the opportunity to share what they had created with their groups.
We were also graced by the presence of World Changers Academy to speak to the grade 10 and grade 11 learners. The talks were revolved around motivation and letting the learners know that anything is possible and they should never feel like they can’t succeed in life. This is very important as learners are exposed to a lot of negativity in the township on a daily basis.
While we had WCA to motivate the learners and make sure they stay forever hopeful and know they will succeed, we also had people from NICRO talk to the learners about the work they do. NICRO is an organisation that diverts offenders who have committed minor crimes (eg. Minor shop-lifting) from prison to community service and similar activities. The importance of understanding that anyone can commit an offence (sometimes not intentionally) and end up on the wrong side of the law is what this organisation stresses. Gugu Ximba, who works as a drug counselor at the Vuyani Nkosi Youth Centre, where the Chesterville branch is based, presented a drug awareness talk to the learners. She took the learners through a list of common drugs, their side effects and why the learners should stay away from them.
During week one, we also had a visit from the Love life mpintshis., who insisted that all staff and volunteers leave the room as they talk strictly to learners. The purpose of this is to help the learners feel free and comfortable enough to talk about the issues they cover. These range from sexuality to abuse.
DUT was able to come on board even more through their Department of Food and Nutrition. The department was able to send one of their staff members to give the learners a talk on the importance of a balanced diet, how to achieve it and what are some of the consequences of not eating well. They also sponsored each leaner with a tin of cook-in evaporated milk. The talks were spaced over four days. Two days in the first week and two days in the second week.
With most of the activities requiring the learners to pay attention and listen carefully, we needed some activities that they could actively (physically) participate in as well. In the first week all the grades had an opportunity to go to the grounds to exercise after lunch. They were accompanied by an independent fitness trainer who was there to make sure they were participating and doing everything properly. They looked forward to it, especially since they would get a chance to do something different not just sitting in the classrooms.
The one activity that got all the learners very excited was the Amazing Race. We decided to create our own small version of this fun race around the campus. All four grades got to participate in the race at different times. The grade 9s and 12s were the first group. The race included a health quiz, picture puzzle, shooting hoops and solving Maths puzzles.
The week ended with excursions for all the learners. The grade 9 and 12 ventured off to the UKZN Science and Technology Centre, while the Grade 10 and 11 went to the Durban Green Corridor Estuary.
The Grade 9 and 12 learners were taken on a tour of the Science centre and also witnessed some of the experiments that take place at the centre. The grade 9 learners also got a chance to see the microscopes up close. The matric group also got to do a learning styles workshop. The workshop allows participants to determine their learning styles. This allows a person to better understand how they make decisions and also how they interpret the world. It is a true eye-opener for anyone who has ever wondered why and how they do certain things different to other people.
At the Green Corridor Estuary the grade 10 and 11 group did a beach clean-up. They also got a chance to see the famed Mangroves of Durban and learn all about them.
All in all the first week was an exciting and great learning curve for the team.
Learners and tutors from both branches joined hands at Ivory Park Lord Khanyile youth centre in favour of the health awareness day organized by the IY Gauteng staff. It was a fun and educational moment as learners eagerly awaited testing in long lines. Tutors, staff and some mentors lead the way by testing first, while also helping to encourage the learners to know their status and take charge of their own lives. The day involved, alongside the regular tutoring sessions, HIV/AIDS talks, counselling and actual testing. With the kind, brave help from SADTU’s health branch workers, assisted by the City of Johannesburg, a dedicated mobile testing team made their way to Ivory Park to come and facilitate this beneficial service to our community. All learners, tutors and staff who volunteered to be tested received the best advice, comfort and help from the health workers and left knowing that should they ever need more information, advice or counselling the were places and people who are more than willing to help. A great day was had by all filled with learning, growing and empowerment.
Matrics in the Western Cape have taken Winter School to a whole new level by being the first group to participate in a Matric camp. An innovative part of IY’s annual Winter School holiday program, the Matric camp was launched in 2013 by the Western Cape team and has seen 62 Matrics from Makhaza, Masiphumelele and Nyanga get together for a week getaway at the Rotary Glencairn camp site, for 5 days of intensive tutoring, academic workshops and exam practice.
The first day saw all the learners arriving at the site and immediately getting into energetic team-building exercises led by Masi Branch Coordinator, Johnlyn. The exercises proved a worthy ice-breaker as learners started interacting more freely across the branches, and working collectively to earn points for their various teams, comprised of Matrics and volunteers from each branch.
Johnlyn led the group in a workshop on vision and goal-setting, where she spoke frankly about being in Grade 12, the imminence of exams and what it takes to reach goals and achieve desired results. The session was an inspiring one for many learners, and Yonela Jongilanga from Nyanga branch had the following to say: ‘This is different from the other camps I have attended. I like it because the focus is about being serious.’ Tutoring started in earnest and learners spent the rest of the afternoon working on their schoolwork.
Makhaza Coordinator, Zukile took the learners through a valuable workshop on how to calculate their aggregates and types of passes they are currently receiving in their school reports, for the purposes of tertiary studies. The session also covered the National Benchmarking Tests and their importance for accessing studies at certain universities in South Africa. The workshop ushered in a very sombre mood amongst the group, as learners realised the amount of work required of them, in order to access university. Nyanga Branch Assistant, Siphelele, then led the group into an energetic slogan, where learners re-stated their confidence in their ability to achieve their dreams. The evening wound down on an emotional note, as the group openly shared individual experiences and challenges individuals have experienced.
As the Matric camp continues, the learners have all managed to do take part in a variety of activities aimed at preparing them for their final exams and tertiary studies. On day 3 of the camp, the Matrics’ mentors joined the group for an afternoon session of tertiary applications and each learner applied to 5 tertiary institutions for study in 2014. Afikile Nkonyana said the following: ‘’I am glad I had people to help me with my applications. My first option for study is Chemical Engineering and I applied to Stellenbosch, NMMU, CPUT, Wits and TSiBA and I hope I will get a place at one of them for next year.’’ Later that evening, the learners went on a trust hike up the mountain, which is one of the activities that has enriched the learners’ overall experience whilst on the camp. Luyanda Jaranda from Makhaza branch said the following: ‘As we have bonded, it has become quite easy to be tutored together and we have become so relaxed and free during the sessions.’
On the last full day of camp, the learners started the day with a workshop on writing amazing applications. For young people who are on the verge of exiting the school system and entering tertiary education and employment, this workshop came at the right time. Many of the learners are interested in accessing bursaries and other sponsorship for their studies and were very enthusiastic about a workshop that addresses writing to potential funders and employers.
One of our Masi volunteers, Janna, ran a workshop on study guidelines, schedules and time-keeping, which is essential since the Matric exams are a month away. The group also got to enjoy a refreshing walk to the beach, where they had a fun afternoon playing games, swimming, chatting, doing photo-shoots and having lunch at the beach. After walking back, the learners were exhausted, but had enough energy to get ready for a Maths workshop, facilitated by SAAO.
True to ikamvanite culture, the learners got into a rigorous tutoring session after the day’s many activities and spent a number of hours getting assistance in their school subjects from their tutors, who as usual were more than up to the task. Lindiwe Grootboom, a volunteer said the following: ‘I have found the camp very inspiring. I hear the stories from the learners and tutors and I am amazed by what they go through every day, and yet they are here, studying and working to make their lives better.’
Matric Camp has been a success so far, and Kuhle Riti from Makhaza said the following: ‘The camp is a success because we have got a chance to focus on our studies and help each other as Matrics from (the Western Cape). ‘’ This strongly echoes IY’s value of peer-to-peer sharing and IY is excited to witness the fruit of the Matric camp as the learners write their mock exams in September and final exams in November.
A very special thank you to Pick’n Pay Fish Hoek, for generously supplying camp catering, and ensuring that all our learners, volunteers and staff are well fed every day of the camp, as well as Rotary for the accomodation.
Matrics 2013 Yes we can!!!
After the wonderful first week of Masiphumelele Winter School, both learners and tutors were expecting more from our colorful workshops for the second week. We have had some new workshops this week covering interesting topics as Environmental Protection, Sexual Violence, Academic Writing, Debate, and more. On Thursday, learners wowed the tutors with their ability to craft intelligent arguments in a short amount of time during the Debate workshop. In Academic Writing, we learned about Plagiarism and how to correctly cite sources in our writing.
We were lucky to have Black Sash, an organization works to advance equality, social justice and human rights to give a special workshop on some key social problems. Wire Works with Frederick gave learners an opportunity to use wires and beads to create works of art. Other learners went to Fish Hoek beach to clean and recycle garbage.
Beyond these sessions, learners also participated in some workshops more focused on their own future. CPUT Engineering Department and Stellenbosch University came to our Winter School to introduce their academic programs and encourage some learners to apply. Capitec Bank held a whole-morning session on Tuesday to give career guidance, CV skills and financial knowledge to our young learners. And on Wednesday, Inspired Inc gave a very passionate speech on having a vision and dream for one’s life. Learners tried to project their vision and their plan to reach that vision. We love these sessions, because Winter School is not only about academic progress, but also about equipping our learners for the future and empowering them to reach their dreams.
Learners also concluded the week by taking time to write thank you notes to those who have helped make this week possible, including Pick n Pay (who provided our lunches!) and False Bay College (who provided the venue for our Winter School!). As we look forward to our Talent Show with the other Ikamva Youth branches tomorrow, we are grateful and happy for a great two weeks of learning and growing alongside one another. One of our tutors, Lauren, put it well when she said,
“Winter School is designed not only to inspire the kids but also to inspire tutors to continue our work to put them on a path towards a better life. If one of these students can succeed in that task, I’ll know that I’ve done my job.”
After the wonderful first week of Masiphumelele Winter School, both learners and tutors were expecting more from our colorful workshops for the second week. We have had some new workshops this week covering interesting topics as Environmental Protection, Sexual Violence, Academic Writing, Debate, and more. On Thursday, learners wowed the tutors with their ability to craft intelligent arguments in a short amount of time during the Debate workshop. In Academic Writing, we learned about Plagiarism and how to correctly cite sources in our writing.
We were lucky to have Black Sash, an organization works to advance equality, social justice and human rights to give a special workshop on some key social problems. Wire Works with Frederick gave learners an opportunity to use wires and beads to create works of art. Other learners went to Fish Hoek beach to clean and recycle garbage.
Beyond these sessions, learners also participated in some workshops more focused on their own future. CPUT Engineering Department and Stellenbosch University came to our Winter School to introduce their academic programs and encourage some learners to apply. Capitec Bank held a whole-morning session on Tuesday to give career guidance, CV skills and financial knowledge to our young learners. And on Wednesday, Inspired Inc gave a very passionate speech on having a vision and dream for one’s life. Learners tried to project their vision and their plan to reach that vision. We love these sessions, because Winter School is not only about academic progress, but also about equipping our learners for the future and empowering them to reach their dreams.
Learners also concluded the week by taking time to write thank you notes to those who have helped make this week possible, including Pick n Pay (who provided our lunches!) and False Bay College (who provided the venue for our Winter School!). As we look forward to our Talent Show with the other Ikamva Youth branches tomorrow, we are grateful and happy for a great two weeks of learning and growing alongside one another. One of our tutors, Lauren, put it well when she said,
“Winter School is designed not only to inspire the kids but also to inspire tutors to continue our work to put them on a path towards a better life. If one of these students can succeed in that task, I’ll know that I’ve done my job.”
Lloyd Lungu