Extra-Academic Programs

YAA (Youth for Aids Awareness) aims to develop awareness about HIV/AIDS and related issues. We also aim to take concrete action to support those currently affected by HIV/AIDS.

Putting these words into action, YAA recently held an activity, “An educational cosy evening” in the Hoegh on 29^th March. A café was also held to sell refreshments.  This event was attended by some of the students of RCNUWC.

The main purpose of the event was to hold discussions on HIV/AIDS and related issues in an informal environment. The topics under discussion were stigma, ARVs, prevention of AIDS and peer education. YAA members also shared personal stories which gave us food for thought as they made the issue less abstract, closer to us.

All in all, the event offered a deeper understanding into the hot issue of AIDS and gave students the opportunity to share ideas, experiences, and opinions.  YAA members felt encouraged to hold more events of this nature in the future.

This group of young people meets to discuss ways to raise awareness about AIDS on the college campus and how to make help those people that have or are affected by AIDS. This year this has included running the Winter Show, which was on December 1^st, World AIDS Day, Running various cafes, sponsoring an African child, Ntabiseng, to pay for her education, and most recently visiting Dale to raise AIDS awareness in the area.

This involved going to the Dale Umdomskule and talking to two classes about AIDS, using statistics, advertising and personal stories. We’re pretty sure that a good time was had by all, certainly by the presenters, and the group are looking to continue this next year as well. The Dale students were really friendly and welcoming and it was great to get the chance to know some of them a little bit. This is definitely something to be recommended.

Youth for Aids Awareness (YAA) aims to promote Aids awareness and safe sex practices in the college as well as to raise money for a child orphaned by Aids-infected parents in South Africa. In the future we aim to sponsor an HIV-infected child in South Africa.