inkunzi isematholeni

This project, started in 2001, worked with young men between the ages of 9 and 14 years (before puberty), in schools, who played soccer. TAI worked with 4 schools in an area, with 5 areas in total. The project activities were very similar to that of Shosholoza with content changed to be age-appropriate. The project expanded to include a "buddy" system where children helped children in distress talk to teachers or TAI staff, spent time with them or helped them do homework.

Some key learnings from the Inkunzi Isematholeni Project included:

• There are an overwhelming number of children in distress in schools. It was difficult for TAI to help all of them. It is important for TAI to create partnerships with organisations who specialise in providing services for children in distress.
• School children enjoy participating in the programme and are very energetic in organising events and other school activities with an HIV theme.
• The same lessons about involving adults/guardians/parents apply here. It is very important to involve the school governing bodies and school management. However, it was through this project that TAI saw how much of a gap was created between children and their parents. The children were better informed about sex and sexuality, HIV and prevention than their parents. The Inkunzi project groups asked TAI to start a project for their parents and other adults in the community so that they could be better supported in their activities.