The Connect-Ed Campaign visits Murray High School
With all the media attention related to teenage pregnancy in schools, it’s good to know that NGOs and communities are trying to address the problems. The CONNECT-ED team of ambassadors recently visited Murray High School and created a buzz amongst students.
CONNECT-ED is a high school campaign which aims to reduce the transmission of HIV and STIs and unplanned pregnancies amongst youth in South Africa.
Sarika Modi, manager of Connect-Ed says “The last survey done in 2009 reported that 45276 school girls became pregnant. Of these, 109 were in grade 3 alone. The lack of safe sexual practices amongst youth leaves sub-saharan Africa as a region with the highest rates of HIV and STIs in the world.”
CONNECT-ED was developed by Durex, the number 1 condom brand in the world, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education to address these issues.
The campaign has some serious messages to youth, who are encouraged to:
- Abstain – this is safest,
- Plan ahead – for safer sex
- Take Responsibility,
- Ask for support
CONNECT-ED aims to achieve both education and behavior change through various platforms. Students are engaged by actors who role play some of the social scenarios that teenagers face. In addition, learners are engaged with a 30 minute movie called The Line, featuring stories about high school learners and some of the dangers of “crossing the line”.
The campaign also provides support to learners through CONNECT-ED BUDDY, an online guidance counselor, who can be accessed by youth via www.connectedbuddy.co.za or on Facebook.
Schools are given 200 free copies of the CONNECT-ED book, the first South African book about teenage sexuality, created by the award-winning team Marina Coleman (author), and Sifiso Yalo (cartoonist).
CONNECT-ED will be attending schools around Western Cape until 30 Septmeber 2013. We urge teachers and parents to sign up their relevant schools by contacting Madeleine on 082 447 6842 or email to connect-ed@giacomo.co.za. For more information about Connect-Ed, visit www.connect-ed.co.za
Some recent reviews from teachers at the school:
“The show was very informative, interesting. Learners were also actively involved. Excellent show. Well done. Keep it up.” The group was quite loud and excitable. They seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the performance and the film.”
Murray High School.