Camp Sizanani

One of the key communication strategies for this project is providing at-risk youth with the opportunity to discuss their ideas about HIV/AIDS in an informal environment, amongst their peers and camp counsellors in relationships where trust is built; "Sizanani" means "help each other" in Zulu. Organisers claim that, during the 10- to 14-day camp, young participants develop strong relationships with the counsellors, changing the nature of the education and life skills training the campers receive. According to the organisers, “The problem with too many AIDS programmes... is that too often the messages are thrown at young people by people they have no reason to trust. But after just over a week of eating, living, and playing together, the counsellors say they've built strong bonds with the boys and were able to discuss issues about HIV/AIDS with them that may not arise in a school or family setting.”

The camp is designed to provide underprivileged children affected by HIV/AIDS from townships around Johannesburg with an opportunity to experience fun and games within an educational and life-skill development environment. “The idea is to mix fun and games with AIDS awareness, cooperation, and a lot of love - something that has been absent from many of these children's lives.”

The dynamics of the camp were also shaped to allow the counsellors to debunk myths that the participants may have adopted about HIV transmission and AIDS. “The campers, who range in age from 10 to 16, said they believed the lubrication on condoms contained worms that came out in the sun or in water, and that government-issued condoms contained holes. Armed with boxes of condoms, counsellors challenged the boys to conduct their own experiments. No worms or holes to be found.”

The post-camp "SoulBuddyz club", supported by Soul City, supplements the programme by providing a continuum of support to the children and their guardians. The organisers believe that a short intensive programme can make a positive difference in enhancing coping mechanisms and improving self-esteem. And in providing a supplementary support system, organisers hope to communicate that the lessons learned, ideas shared, and memories created during the camp can continue to inform their vision for the future. In other words, the learning experience of the camp does not end when the camp is over. In addition, the post-camp is designed to communicate the concept that the support participants have received is ongoing and available, so they can begin to understand they are not alone.

Children, Youth, HIV/AIDS.