It is still a concern for Zimbabwe as one of the countries with high HIV prevalence where young people who must become a driving force in building the society are still locked in with HIV and AIDS epidemic in terms of rates of infection, vulnerability, impact and potential for change.
COSV project that is funded by European Union brought us to Mashonaland West Province, a province where it registered roughly at 15% HIV prevalence. The implemented project is targeting young people aged 10-25 years with the aim of contributing to the combat of diseases associated with HIV and AIDS pandemic and improving access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information and services to young people in this area.
What is it about?
A playful diverting approach with serious messages was put into action through setting up a school contest “Movies and Songs for Life Skills Competition” with 20 schools participating. The contest was made to pull the creativity of young people by inviting them to create an original idea on a screenplay for a short movie (Young People Movies) and lyrics for a mbira playing song or poem (Lyrics for Life Skills) not longer than 15 minutes in length. Purpose of this action is to share information and in the same time entertaining young people to reflect what we call “Edutainment”. This contest was divided into two categories; primary schools and secondary schools. Students in primary school could address and select one of the two content topics offered, which are about abstinence or puberty. As for students in secondary school, the topics offered are about STIs, HIV and AIDS or Stigma and Taboos. Each screen play from each category competed to win judges choice award and the best three will be granted the opportunity to have their film footage being filmed and received mbiras.
Goal for this contest was to deliver the best message on how young people can respond to challenges of SRH issues and how to adopt values or ways that encourage good lifestyle which help them to avoid early sexual risk activities.
The project could not be accomplished without a great support from Education Secretariat of the Archdiocese of Harare, Integral Youth Development (IYD) and also COSV partners in film and music production; Invision and Mbira Centre that contribute for arts and culture sector learning in Zimbabwe.
How was the response towards this activity?
It is with great delight that the project organized by COSV Zimbabwe and Education Secretariat was welcomed and received encouragement. The prize giving ceremony was held on 7 May 2015 attended by Archbishop Ndhlovu, Archdiocese of Harare, EU Ambassador; Mr. Philippe Van Damme and EU Delegations the funders of the SRH project, 18 participating schools, Responsible Authority, CRS Country Director, NAC, IYD, CCJP, Mbira Centre, Invision Studios, COSV Country representative and staffs. The speech given by the Archbishop acknowledged that the project helps young people to attain education not only for gaining knowledge that could assist and guide them in navigating through challenges of this world but showcasing their talents as well.
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Three winning schools for this contest were awarded with prizes handed over by Archbishop Ndhlovu and EU Ambassador, Mr. Phillipe Van Damme. The winning schools were from a Primary School, St Michaels High School and Chinhoyi Rural Training Centre with the courtesy from Mbira Centre. The awards for the script contest went to St Joseph Primary for position 1 and 2 and St Peter Claver came on the third rank with the courtesy of Invision Studios. The winning screen plays are currently in the movie making process.
A primary school also contributed by performing a song during the award ceremony. The song emphasized the need to wait until the right time, focusing on education and abstaining from sex and alcohol abuse. St Michaels High from Mhondoro-Ngezi district recited a poem which outlined issues such as the burden left upon the young people because of poverty, loss of parents, school dropout, contracting STIs as a result of sexual activities and stigma associated to people living with HIV and AIDS.
Utilizing and exploiting the creativity of young Zimbabweans through arts and culture favour them to a learning process and bring transformation of the person. It is also an inspiring powerful practice to convey and engage students’ passion in art and cultural skills and activities. By involving them into edutainment activities, people especially youngsters who are exposed to HIV could obtain deeper knowledge and regard this way as stimulation for their continuous development. This activity could be seen as a platform to share their voices and carry on their messages into communities. Moreover, to ascertain how they can depict the real life situations that make them vulnerable to HIV infection and propose realistic solutions, which empower young people to make informed decisions on prevention, positive living and life skills. With arts and culture, the key messages embedded encompasses intellectual, emotional, moral and social development that are all integrated and foster youth innovation in solving problems and pursuing opportunities.
The screen plays of the winners will be released soon.
FACTS about ZIMBABWE:
1. Zimbabwe is experiencing one of the harshest HIV and AIDS epidemics in the world.
2. Concerning HIV and AIDS, the country is showing progress and improvements on trends of HIV prevalence decline.
3. The age structure of a population is characterized by dominance of young populations. An estimated 170.000 children living with HIV (UNICEF, 2013).
HIV/AIDS Prevention in Zimbabwe with Arts and Culture
