Name of Your Cause
OneVoice South Africa (OVSA) is a vibrant and unique non-governmental organisation, which uses innovative and creative ways of actively involving young people in HIV and AIDS prevention. Our programme is appealing to young people because it provides them with a platform to discuss and address HIV and AIDS, life skills, sexual reproductive health, gender and human rights issues.
The One Very Best Thing About Your Cause
The one very best thing about our cause is that we partner with young South Africans aged 13-19, on HIV and AIDS prevention.
Today, 1.3 billion young people live in the developing world. In South Africa alone, nearly 40% of all South Africans are between the ages of 14 and 35. Clearly, young people make up a significant part of our total population. And unlike the past, integration of youth in strategic planning and policy development is no longer lacking. In fact, they are one of our most valued assets.
Vibrant and unique, OVSA recognises the crucial role young people can play in HIV and AIDS prevention. The organisation especially believes in partnering with young people (13-19 years), as they are still facing limited access to HIV treatment, care and information – while also battling profound stigma, ignorance and denial. They’re also without doubt, the emerging leaders of tomorrow.
Our Vision is to provide a safe and creative environment where young people are part of the collective voice to develop positive lifestyles in the HIV and AIDS response. Our Mission is to promote meaningful participation of young people in making informed decisions about health and lifestyle, including sexual reproductive health within our communities.
We aim to achieve our Vision and Mission by: designing and implementing age, gender and culturally appropriate prevention programmes; combining education, information and creative expression to engage young people; building involvement with parents/caregivers, families, peers, communities, schools and workplaces; contributing to knowledge production through programme development, by conducting high quality monitoring and evaluation activities; raising public awareness by disseminating evidence and experience-based information to stakeholders; creating a safe environment for young people’s voices to be heard.
Launched in 2005, the Schools Programme is implemented with Grade 8 learners in 74 schools across KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces. Developed by educational experts with input from learners, teachers and OVSA staff, the programme is aligned to the HIV & AIDS and STI Strategic Plan for South Africa (NSP 2007-2011), the National Life Orientation syllabus and seeks to address issues fuelling the South African HIV epidemic.
Advice
- Visit the OVSA website at www.onevoice.org.za and support our cause by:
- reviewing our website
- joining our Facebook Cause
- taking part in our online survey
- donating online
- volunteering and offering your expertise to support the work we are partnering on with young people
- contacting us and sharing your views on how you can partner with our organisation and Schools Programme
Why My Cause Is So Important
Our cause should be the cause of the week because it recognises the importance of partnering with these young leaders in terms of HIV prevention, strategic planning and policy development.
How I Got Involved With My Cause
I got involved after working at Ngwelezana Hospital in the infection control department. I realised that truly our young people are emerging leaders and by not including them in their own futures, we will never win the fight against HIV and AIDS.
