Butterfly Project gets youth talking about HIV/AIDS

THE Butterfly Project, a major arts and health education initiative facilitated by the Denis Hurley Centre in partnership with the US Consulate, various private sector organisations and NGOs including Tongaat Hulett, got youth creative and talking about the HIV and AIDS.

Tongaat Hulett partnered with PROTEC and Khethimpilo because of their commitment to working with vulnerable but high potential youth from socio-economically challenged communities. PROTEC is an NGO that works with learners with an aptitude in maths and science, while Khethimpilo is an NGO working with government to implement the National HIV/ AIDS Strategic Plan.

“Tongaat Hulett was invited to mobilise youth to participate in the Butterfly Project. We invited youth from PROTEC and Khethimpilo, which are organisations we have good working relationships with and each organisation recommended 30 young people to participate in the project,” Nkonzo Mhlongo, Tongaat Hulett socio-economic development manager said.

Mhlongo said they partnered with Khethimpilo on the HIV and Me programme, an HIV/ AIDS awareness programme targeting learners, hence a project of this nature is not new to these youths.

The project took place over two days, during which the youths were involved in HIV/AIDS education talks, Question and Answer sessions and educational plays where the youth learnt about the UN AIDS 90-90-90 initiative. By 2020, 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status; 90 per cent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained anti-retroviral therapy; and 90 per cent of all people receiving anti retroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

They were divided into two groups, one which focused on putting together the butterfly sculpture and the other was involved in a drama workshop.

“The youths who were involved in the drama workshop were divided into groups and were required to compete against each other in performing educational HIV/AIDS plays. Actors in the winning play got to perform for everyone at the Centre.

“The butterfly sculpture, made of small plastic butterflies tied to a mesh, a symbol of the Butterfly Project, was mounted on the wall of the Denis Hurley Centre.

Nana Ngcobo, a social worker at Khethimpilo and one of the project managers overseeing this initiative, said it was a brilliant concept that she and the youth were happy to be a part of. “The project unveiled some hidden talents in the youth and they got to relax and enjoy the activities with their peers.

“The information imparted to them was useful, relevant and insightful, especially for young, impressionable people such as themselves,” Ngcobo added.