The Stand
South African high school students learn importance of HIV testing
The Raphael Centre hosted a “prize giving” gig at Khutliso Daniels Secondary School in February. Different from a school’s typical awards days, which honour academic achievements, the Raphael Centre event encouraged pupils to know their status and get tested for HIV, with those who were tested entering a raffle for a chance to win a bicycle.
The initiative is part of Khanya – Be SMART, the Raphael Centre’s campaign for better living.
“Our aim for 2018 has been to test 1,150 youth and adolescents for HIV,” according to a press statement from the Raphael Centre. “Among them will be pupils from Mary Waters High School, Nathaniel Nyaluza High School, Archie Mbolekwa Primary School, Khutliso Daniels Secondary School, Ntsika High School and C.M. Vellem Primary School.”
Khanya translates as “be bright.” “SMART stands for: Shine – Mind – Act – Raffle – Test. It closely refers to the procedure of this project where youth are motivated to take responsibility for their health and to test for HIV,” according to the Raphael Centre. “Finally — as a bonus — every youth who tested for HIV can enter our bicycle raffle which takes place with each high school with who we have collaborated.”
Before being tested, pupils under age 16 were given a consent form that a family member had to sign.
Nosiviwe Twani won the bicycle and was excited to do so. “I am very happy,” she said.
Campaigns like Khanya – Be SMART are crucial in South Africa because the youth and young adults between ages 15 and 24 have the fastest growing rate of HIV infection, according to the Raphael Centre.
— Article by Kathryn Cleary, Grocott’s Mail reporter
