Tondoro AIDS Awareness Club
This project empowers learners to believe in themselves and the power of their own convictions. Once given the knowledge of how to protect themselves from HIV, young people need support and reassurance.
The learners at TAAC will write an HIV prevention magazine, published twice a year, and distributed to ~500 learners at their own and neighboring schools.
Tondoro is a village located 40 kilometers from the tarred road, and 150km from the major town of Rundu, in the North-East of Namibia. All the learners in the Tondoro AIDS Awareness Club (TAAC) attend the Tondoro Combined School, where Rukwangali is the main language. TAAC has been active since March 2008. The Club provides a forum for discussing HIV/AIDS related issues in an environment where the youth feel safe and welcomed. The Club encourages conversations and has worked to develop an environment that nurtures asking questions, and respecting other people’s points of view.
The 20 learners currently participating in the Tondoro AIDS Awareness Club (TAAC), wanted to spread the message about HIV to their peers at the Tondoro Combined School, and other schools nearby - now they will.
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In 2009, the Club worked to cultivate learners’ understanding of HIV/AIDS. The magazine serves as a means of expression for the learners:
• To build on the knowledge and empower the learners directly involved with the confidence to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and other STI.
• To obtain basic computer literacy.
• To ensure that the ideas and protective health measures reach a wider audience and opens up a community dialogue
Tondoro Combined School
“I would like our magazine to hold more information about HIV/AIDS. We are sending it to other villages so that they may also know about HIV/AIDS. I would also want to tell people who will read it and advice other people who do not know about our magazine. I would also like our magazine to teach other people who think that HIV is something to joke about. I would like to tell them to stay away from sex without any protection.” Petrus Musongo, grade 9
“Our magazine is a publication with articles or stories. It is good to read a magazine because it can rduce stress. We like to share funny stories so other learners will enjoy it.” Andima Frieda
“I enjoyed writing the magazine it is that we want the people to catch up some ideas that we are having. I want people to buy the magazine because its so great. They must accept the ideas even though we are small – even though we are young, we have a lot of ideas.” Joseph Mtero – grade 9