The Connect-ed campaign visits Gauteng
JOBURG - NON-PROFIT organisation, Connect-ed, has started targeting Gauteng schools with the aim of reducing the transmission of HIV and STIs and unplanned pregnancies among youth in South Africa.
Bevan Lewis the brand manager of Durex said, “The last survey done in 2009 reported that 45 276 school girls became pregnant. Of these, 109 were in grade 3 alone. The lack of safe sexual practices among youth leaves sub-saharan Africa as a region with the highest rates of HIV and STIs in the world.”
Connect-ed was developed by Durex and has some serious messages for the youth of South Africa. They encourage school pupils:
1. Abstain – this is safest
2. Plan ahead – for safer sex
3. Take Responsibility
4. Ask for support
Connect-ed aims to achieve both education and behavior change through various platforms. Students are engaged by actors who role play some of the social scenarios that teenagers face. In addition, pupils are engaged with a 30 minute movie called The Line, featuring stories about high school pupils and some of the dangers of crossing the line.
The campaign also provides support to learners through Connect-ed Buddy, an online guidance counselor, who can be accessed by youth via www.connectedbuddy.co.za or on Facebook.
Schools are given 200 free copies of the Connect-ed book, the first South African book about teenage sexuality, created by the award-winning team Marina Coleman (author), and Sifiso Yalo (cartoonist).
Connect-ed will be attending schools around Gauteng until 30 September. Teachers and parents are urged to sign up their relevant schools.
Details; Madeleine 011-267-2920 or connect-ed@giacomo.co.za
