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Vera Maria Slywynsky, BA, University of Michigan alumna, 1319 Washington St., Apt 2R, Hoboken, NJ 07030, 551-208-3000, vera_slywynsky@yahoo.com
As a participant in the Pedagogy of Action program at the University of Michigan, I had the extraordinary opportunity to travel to South Africa and teach the Haniff HIV module to primary school children at Cato Crest school in Durban. Children in South Africa are seriously impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The orphan rate is 17% and as a result, many children are forced to head households following the death of family members from complications of AIDS. By teaching the HIV module to the children, a safe space was created for them to discuss and explore how this issue affects their lives. The HIV module also served as a tool in fostering a sense of active and democratic citizenship -- children were encouraged to teach the information gained from the HIV module to their peers and families and grow as leaders. They were also emboldened to ask questions about their health needs and learn to protect themselves against the disease, including the context of child rape. Lastly, the teaching of the HIV module enabled a brief but candid discussion about racial understanding and race relations. The need for age appropriate and empowering HIV education for children was affirmed through this experience.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Health Activism, Poverty
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.