Youth Development
The WWS objective for youth development is to enable youth (over the age of 13 years) in our community to understand HIV/AIDS through the development of gender-sensitive programmes which enable them to become role models, make informed choices, lead healthy lives and know their HIV status.
WWS work with youth, orphans and vulnerable children is based at Timothy House, our purpose-build youth centre which was completed in 2006. In addition to an after-school Youth Group, we also provide community-based youth programmes and support groups for orphans and vulnerable children.
After School Programmes (Youth Group)
We run a youth group at Timothy House, Monday to Thursday from 15h00 to 17h00. The Youth Programme aims to promote education and a healthy life style, with a particular emphasis on awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS. The youth group activities include:
- education and awareness workshops on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, TB, drug and alcohol abuse and teenage pregnancy.
- gender-sensitive life skills and health promotion programmes, such as 'Boys 2 Men', in which drama, art and music are used as media to address difficult issues
- skills and outreach activities for registered WWS members including sports (including football, netball and aerobics), dance classes (including ballroom and traditional dance), poetry, traditional games, music, drama, film club, English lessons, computer club and educational outings
- gardening projects
- peer outreach - we encourage those attending Timothy House to promote the messages of prevention and support to their peers in the local community.
- spiritual and bereavement counselling and psychological support
Community-based Programmes
In addition to the Youth Group at Timothy House, we also organise and run events and meetings within the community. These include:
- schools programmes - WWS staff run life skills programmes and HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness workshops in the local and surrounding farm schools.
- community awareness campaigns - the Youth department works with other WWS departments to raise HIV/AIDS prevention awareness in the community, surrounding farms and churches.
- community partnerships - WWS works closely with government departments and community leaders such as teachers, principals, parents and youth leaders to share information and build relationships, and to promote and support capacity-building initiatives to support children affected by HIV/AIDS.