Dios Los Ninos School ran an HIV Awareness Week for all their pupils from 13 to 17 April.
The aim of the awareness week at the school in Radiokop was to educate and create more awareness about this disease in an environment where pupils feel safe to ask questions and in time so they don’t end up in an unwanted scenario one day.
The educators at the school believe that knowledge is power and knowing more about the cause and effect of HIV has undoubtedly been beneficial to their pupils in the long run. A number of activities were arranged during the awareness week.
Pupils at the school wore red ribbons each day as part of their school uniforms. A number of art projects were also organised where Grade R to 3 pupils made doctor coats, and Grade 4 to 9 pupils worked together on a huge HIV sign and collage.
Awareness information was also discussed in science lessons. Additionally, a special visit was paid to the school’s Grade 4 to 9 pupils by actor Dewald Reynecke who is known for his roles in Scandal, Generations, 7de Laan, and Egoli. He has been HIV positive for 14 years and shared his story with the pupils. Reynecke believes that the only way to fight this disease is through education. This was Reynecke’s first public talk about the issue.
Principal at the school Leonie de Kock said, “Meeting Dewald was an honour. I was such an honour to hear his story and the fact that he was willing to share it with us. We all truly enjoyed meeting him. As science teacher it was so interesting educating the pupils about HIV/AIDS.”
Grade 6 pupil Lisa Mwenje was thankful toward the school for educating her about HIV. “It was interesting and at least now we know how to protect ourselves in the future,” she said.
