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Sekolo Projects Inc.

Sekolo Projects is a non-profit corporation that trains teachers in HIV AIDS prevention. Our primary focus is a national teacher-training project we developed for Namibia that gives HIV prevention training, books and videos to every secondary school in the country. Some parts of the country have a 40% infection rate, and we incorporate issues of stigma, treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and caring for people living with HIV AIDS into our training workshops.

In February, our President, Elizabeth Robinson, trained teachers in Oshigambo, near Namibia's boarder with Angola. In this region, the adult HIV prevalence rate is over 40%, twice the country's average.

Sekolo's 2005 pilot workshops were supported by the government, United Nations agencies, US faith-based groups, companies donating in kind, and by scores of individuals donating $150 to support a school.The impact of our work is being monitored and evaluated by Greenwich Associates. For a copy of the report, please contact Geoffrey Silver, details on the contact page.


Background
Over ten years, Namibia's life expectancy has fallen from 70 years to under 50. The UN predicts it will be 34 by 2010.

Poverty was already an issue in the days before HIV, with GDP at only $2,250 per head and 55% living on less than $85 a year. With the arrival and spread of HIV, orphaned children are now leading households and a country faces economic devastation.



The national government is focussed on its response, but has to pay substitute teachers' salaries, train new teachers, and pay the salaries and medical treatment for those already sick. Consequently, budgets for teaching HIV prevention in schools are not keeping pace with the disease and Namibia's teachers are under-prepared for the pandemic.

HIV is totally preventable and most upsetting of all is that partly through this under-investment, half of all Namibia's new infections are now in the 15-24 age group.

As prevention is the only cure for these young people, Sekolo works with Namibia's Ministry of Education to help train and equip their teachers.

We provide vital information workshops and teaching materials through a national network of school cluster groups. Through these workshops our message is the integrated 'ABC' of abstinence, faithfulness and consistent and correct condom use. We build on the ABC framework and go further, dealing with gender issues, stigma, testing, treatment and caring for people living with HIV AIDS.

It may seem bizarre that in schools where half the children are AIDS orphans, its HIV prevention teachers do not always know even the basic facts about HIV. But this is what we discovered during our monitoring and evaluation studies with the Ministry of Education.

We believe that dedicated teachers deserve to know current facts and how to lead discussions with teenagers. We encourage teachers to lead by example and get tested and to know their status. We believe teachers are best placed to give children the truth about HIV AIDS. We believe that our combined efforts will lead to behavior change and a reduction in youth infection.

Through its work, Sekolo strengthens the pivotal role of schools in a country sixty-six times the area of Connecticut but with under 2 million people. We work in harmony with other organizations delivering important services to people living with HIV and AIDS. ARV drugs can only provide lasting hope and effectiveness alongside strong and effective prevention education.

Sekolo's pilot stage of training workshops was supported by the government, United Nations agencies, US faith-based groups, companies donating in kind, and by scores of individuals donating $150 to support a school. The pilot is now complete - the project is proven, successful, tried and tested, with all in-country mechanisms and support in place. All we need now is the funding to take the project to scale.

The Our HIV ABC training workshops concluded in August 2006, bringing our totals to 921 teachers trained from 564 schools at 53 workshops in 11 regions.Click here to see the photographs.

namibia If you participated in those workshops, click here to learn about our small grants for School AIDS Clubs.




If you or your community organization wish to learn more about Sekolo and Elizabeth's story, please contact her at the US address or e-mail on the contact page.

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Elizabeth and her Nissan Sani in the forbidden diamond area near Lüderitz.

Sekolo News

Rock group Paisley Grammar raised $1,000 at their concert in Exeter, UK.

Click on the Sekolo Safari brochure for the archived page.

Click on the ($4k!) wooden giraffe for Joanne Bouknight's photographs of the Sekolo Safari.

2006_brochure_coverwooden giraffe

 

Visit the PBS Frontline website:

   
PBS Documentary
       

How much do you know about HIV AIDS?
Click here to take the PBS on-line quiz. Click here to take the BBC on-line condom quiz.

 

A Comparison between Namibia and the US

* POPULATION
Namibia: 2 million
US: 298 million

* GDP
Namibia: $16.58bn
US: $12.41 trillion

* GDP/HEAD
Namibia: $8,200
US: $42,000

* INFANT MORTALITY
Namibia: 48/1000
US: 6/1000

* LIFE EXPECTANCY
Namibia: 43
US: 78

* HIV/AIDS
Namibia: 21.3 per cent
US: 0.6 per cent

* TELEPHONE LINES
Namibia: 127,900
US: 268,000,000

* LITERACY (OVER AGE 15)
Namibia: 84 per cent
US: 99 per cent

source: The Independent

 

 

 

 
 


News Archive


PEPFAR's 'Abstinence only' man steps down
State Department, April 27, 2007

Breastfeeding alone cuts HIV risk
BBC News, March 31, 2007

The Big Question: Are we making any ground in the fight against AIDS, and can the war be won?
The Independent, August 15, 2006

Internal criticism voiced on US plan for AIDS relief
Boston Globe, June 18, 2006

Namibia hit by polio
BBC News, June 6, 2006

Brad and Angelina's genius
National Ledger, June 5, 2006

Nicholas Kristof's positive view of PEPFAR
New York Times, June 4, 2006

Factfile on Ugandan HIV policy
Frontline, PBS, June 2, 2006

Factfile on Ugandan HIV policy
Avert.org, June 2, 2006

UN AIDS Conference
Laura Bush: 'More people need to know how AIDS is transmitted, and every country has an obligation to educate its citizens. This is why every country must also improve literacy, especially for women and girls, so they can learn to make wise choices that will keep them healthy and safe.'

UK Development Secretary, Hilary Benn: 'I wish we could have been a bit more frank in our document about telling the truth. Abstinence is fine for those who are able to abstain, but... human beings like to have sex and they should not die because they do have sex.'

WTOP, June 2, 2006

In Namibia, condoms are 'a traveller's companion, just like the passport'
IRIN, May 30, 2006

HIV infections 'may have peaked'
BBC News, May 30, 2006

Why a Zimbabwean abstains from sex
BBC News, May 30, 2006

UNAIDS attributes Zim's declining HIV rate to increased faithfulness and widespread condom use
Singapore TODAYonline, May 30, 2006

To Brad and Angelina, a girl, born in Namibia. What does life hold for the nation's children?
Independent, May 29, 2006

Brad and Angelina's Baby Lucky To Be Alive
Fox News, May 29, 2006

Brangelina: Namibia's Biggest Game
(page 2 / page 3)
Washington Post, May 28, 2006

UNGASS meets for the first time since 2001
SABC, May 27, 2006

Too little prevention in Uganda
(page 2)
allAfrica.com, May 26, 2006

Scientists trace origins of HIV to Cameroonian chimps
Guardian, May 26, 2006

Survey shows UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador deserves royal treatment upon giving birth
Namibian, May 25, 2006

'Big Pharma' faces the WHO in Geneva
Independent, May 23, 2006

Bono keeps pressure on G8 nations to deliver on promises
Independent, May 21, 2006

Kenya's First Lady undermines importance of youth access to condoms
BBC News, May 19, 2006

UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa condemns Zuma's damage to the HIV fight
Reuters, May 10, 2006

Crowd chanted, 'umshini wami' outside courtroom where former Deputy President Jacob Zuma claimed showering protected him from HIV infection
MSNBCNewsweek, May 8, 2006

"If the purpose is saving life, then we're not talking about contraception anymore"
National Catholic Reporter, May 5, 2006

Can a questionable act be morally justified when the good effect outweighs a bad consequence?
Fox News, May 3, 2006

Vatican rethinks condoms for married HIV+ couples to save life
New York Times, May 2, 2006

Condoms still contentious in Uganda's struggle over AIDS
The Lancet, April 29, 2006

Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR plans birth in Swakop
Mail & Guardian (SA), April 16, 2006

Red American Express Card helps fight HIV
Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2006

UN Envoy praises Namibia's progress in fighting HIV, but underlines a lack of capacity
IRIN, April 13, 2006

UK Government to give $15bn to global education
HM Treasury, April 10, 2006

"Comprehensive ABC programs to populations at risk of contracting HIV" cut by PEPFAR in favor of AB-only messages
US Government Accountability Office, April 4, 2006

Political leader claims men don't need to wear condoms to avoid HIV; showers will do
BBC News, April 4, 2006

Free-trade, intellectual-property and public health
New York Times, April 4, 2006

Zambia uses G8 debt relief to provide free healthcare and education to poor
Oxfam, March 31, 2006

Oscar nominated 'Yesterday' available on HBO. Watch a preview of this film financed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation here
April 2006

Few pregnant women get HIV drugs
BBC News, March 28, 2006

9 Million African children left motherless by HIV
Guardian, March 20, 2006

Ugandans report mixed message on AIDS plan
Seattle Post, March 18, 2006

Archbishop condemns as 'sinful' the fact 120 million children cannot go to school
CMS, February 2, 2006

'Abstinence-only' programes: teaching the combined ABC undermined by US
Baltimore Sun, December 10, 2005

In Swaziland, Science Revives an Old Rite; Circumcision Makes a Comeback to Fight AIDS in Virus-Ravaged African Nation
Washington Post, December 26, 2005

Namibia's Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) to double over next 15 years
IRIN, December 19, 2005

Click here for a BBC World Service radio program on Condoms in Africa
BBC Radio, December 1, 2005

Giant pink condom covers ancient monument in Buenos Aires to mark World AIDS Day
Reuters, December 1, 2005

Bush: America stands behind the combined ABC approach to prevention
White House, December 1, 2005

For unmarried young people the U.S. strategy is 'abstinence-only', not ABC
Human Rights Watch, December 1, 2005

Bishop Kevin Dowling: TIME Magazine Hero
Time, November 30, 2005

Bishop Kevin Dowling stands defiant against Papal doctrine on condoms. Listen to report.
NPR News, November 30, 2005

Uganda, the first country to reduce HIV infection now undermines condoms and the rule of law
BBC News, November 30, 2005

64% of all new infections are in sub-Saharan Africa
UNAIDS, November 21, 2005

'I have spent the last four years watching people die.' Stephen Lewis, UN Secretary-General's special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa speaks out
CBC 2005 Massey Lectures, November 2005

Uganda's historic success with integrated ABC re-written by revisionists
"Life Site," October 13, 2005

Condom Shortage Hits Uganda's AIDS Campaign
Financial Times, October 5, 2005

Mbeki 'betrayed' South Africa on AIDS
BBC News, September 26, 2005

President Bush addresses UN, confirms US support of UN Global Fund, how PEPFAR-funded non-generic ARV drugs provide hope to sub-Saharan Africa and treat only 230,000 of the 28.9 million infected.
Fox News, September 14, 2005

Promised G8 money for Africa instead diverted to Iraq problem
Cape Times, September 11, 2005

Uganda infection rates fell 15% to 5% when Government introduced 'ABC' later taken up by President Bush - efforts now undermined in favor of 'abstinence-only'
New York Times, September 4, 2005

US 'harming' Uganda's AIDS battle according to UN's special envoy
BBC News, August 30, 2005

Abstinence: 'girls and women typically cannot negotiate when, where or with whom they have sex'
New York Times, August 19, 2005

Study suggests circumcision reduces HIV risk
MSNBC, July 5, 2005

Presidents meet at White House to share ideas on leadership, democracy, HIV, and trade
MSNBC, June 13, 2005

A recovery boom? A response to David Brooks
International Women's Health Coalition, June 13, 2005

Pope urges Abstinence in fighting AIDS
Fox News, June 10, 2005

David Brooks in Windhoek, Namibia
New York Times June 10, 2005

Democratic and peaceful handover in Namibia
BBC News, March 21, 2005

'The Less They Know, the Better,' Abstinence-Only HIV/AIDS Programs in Uganda
Human Rights Watch, March 2005

Government spending crippled by AIDS costs
The Namibian, February 25, 2005

NGO receives $9m grant to teach controversial 'abstinence-only' program in Uganda
Washington Post, February 16, 2005

Pope Rejects Condoms As a Counter to AIDS
Washington Post, January 23, 2005

Spanish church does U-turn on condom remark
The Irish Times, January 21, 2005

US officials impressed by Namibia's combined ABC response
UNOCHA, January 13, 2005

A PEPFAR success story: delivering ARVs and hope in South Africa
BBC News, December 1, 2004

UK Government takes different view from US on abstinence and abortion
Guardian, September 28, 2004

US continues support of Global Fund and PEPFAR
State Department, August 18, 2004

Separate and not equal: Bush's ABC
The Guardian, Letters, July 20, 2004

UN's Global Fund drugs cheaper than drugs approved and funded by PEPFAR
Fox News, July 14, 2004

Early Tests for US in Its Global Fight on AIDS
New York Times, July 14, 2004

Presidential Medal of Freedom for Pope John Paul II
CNN, June 4, 2004

Namibia launches cool condoms aimed at youth
Namibia Economist, November 28, 2003

Take the BBC Condom Quiz
BBC News November 7, 2003

President Bush urges President Mbeki to do more to fight HIV
Washington Post, July 2, 2003

US $15bn AIDS fund to be headed by former Lilly Pharmaceuticals CEO
Washington Post, July 2, 2003

President Bush meets with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda to discuss 'leadership and opportunity' and his pioneering work with the combined ABC
White House, June 10, 2003

Reactions to HIV by Namibia's Churches (FHI)
Lucy Y. Steinitz, Ph.D., June 3, 2003

UNICEF lauds White House leadership on AIDS bill, following Ugandan lead: 'Young people are our best vaccine against AIDS'
UNICEF, April 29, 2003

Loans to Buy AIDS Drugs Are Rejected By Africans
New York Times, August 22, 2000

Catholic bishops reject condoms in HIV fight
BBC News, July 30, 2000

Namibia to lose 20% of workforce to HIV
BBC News, June 8, 2000


Copyright Sekolo Projects Inc. 2006