Reach Out Speak Out

Reach Out Speak Out is a comic book about youth, HIV/AIDS, and xenophobia. It is a joint publication of the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Roll Back Xenophobia Campaign of the South Africa Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The comic aims to stimulate discussion among South African youth about promoting tolerance and acceptance of refugees.

The comic tells the story of young people in a high school setting who have a classmate who is a refugee from Angola called Aphonse. The South African fellow classmates accuse Aphonse of bringing HIV/AIDS and drugs to their country, and the situation is only resolved when a female classmate and teachers intervene. The learners then engage in a discussion that challenges the existing stereotypes that people hold about refugees - one that is designed to create a better understanding of the circumstances of refugees and their countries.