Desert Soul project

The project develops communication campaigns using booklets, television, and radio dramas. The printed booklet addresses topics such as stigma and discrimination, the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, and disclosure. Research on the adaptation of the adult HIV/AIDS booklets was conducted in the form of a literature review, stakeholder consultations, and focus group discussions among different age groups and sexes in rural and urban areas. The community and stakeholder consultation was meant to solicit input on the relevance of the booklet in terms of content, layout, language, and illustrations. Volunteers from Windhoek-based International University of Management and Namibia Red Cross trained staff to conduct this research.

As implied by the research and consultation process, this project aims to promote ownership of the media products. Programmes are produced in vernacular languages to ensure maximum reach of rural communities and semi-literate people. Similarly, organisers developed a logo and a brand name through community consultation and competitions. Among the short listed names, “Desert Soul” was chosen, with a logo consisting of a map of Namibia and the Red Cross symbol.

The Namibia Broadcasting Corporation was awarded a tender to produce a version of the 26-episode children’s television series called ‘Soul Buddyz’. (The Soul Buddyz project was launched in 1999, building on the successful multimedia strategy of the Soul City series. The Soul City Regional Project is an effort to expand the reach of Soul City out into other countries. They are working with existing non-government organisations (NGOs) in those countries to develop Soul-City-and Soul-Buddyz-like programmes - but these new projects have their own branding and are based on the local contexts.) Launched in October 2004, the Namibia production covers topics such as HIV/AIDS, disability, violence, safety, negligence and bullying. The half-hour programmes, which are broadcast on Saturdays and Sundays, combine drama, documentary, vox pops, and studio and location interviews. The main audience is children between the ages of 8 and 12, although organisers hope that older children and adults will also watch. The objective of the show is to depict real-life health issues, especially HIV/AIDS, by letting infected and affected people do the talking instead of others talking for them.

Organisers are also in the process of adapting a 45-episode radio drama that will be produced in 5 local languages (chosen based on the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate and vulnerability). Topics to be covered in these episodes include HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, depression, and land issues. A booklet entitled "HIV/Aids Action Now" was scheduled to be published to complement the radio series.

HIV/AIDS, Health.

The project aims to promote ownership of the media products. Programmes are also produced in the vernacular languages to ensure maximum reach of rural communities and semi literate people. It has developed a logo and a brand name through community consultation and competitions. Among the short listed names “Desert Soul” was chosen and the logo chosen consists of the Map of Namibia and the Red Cross symbol.

The Radio process is also in the process of adapting a 45 episode Radio drama that will be produced in five local languages that were chosen based on the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate and vulnerability. Topics to be covered in these episodes include HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, depression and land issues. A booklet entitled HIV/Aids Action Now will be published before the end of the year to complement the radio series