HIV and AIDS education and prevention training through educational theatre among mainly previously disadvantaged communities in the greater Boland area.
In line with its philosophy for its community interaction initiatives to be stronger, continuous and more creative, the Africa Centre developed a fresh approach to HIV and AIDS related education programmes through its educational theatre productions. The aim is to challenge people to examine their attitudes towards all aspects of HIV and AIDS. The Centre believes in giving hope to people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS and in encouraging behaviour change through acquired knowledge. Filled with humour and popular music while providing the essential facts about the disease – especially as research done on farms in the Boland found that HIV-related knowledge levels were alarmingly low – these theatre models have proven to be powerful intervention vehicles. They create general awareness, increase knowledge about HIV and AIDS, promote HIV testing, address safer and responsible sexual and moral behaviour aimed at preventing infection and tackle discrimination and stigma.
Feedback after performances shows that audiences are better informed, more motivated to change their behaviour in regards to safer sex measures such as condomizing, being faithful, and treating people with compassion and respect where HIV and AIDS is concerned. The Africa Centre's educational theatre interventions have been enthusiastically received on farms, and by schools, churches and businesses alike. In two years (October 2010-October 2012) the result of 150 interventions have reached over 33,068 people and has tested over 9,000 people, exceeding its targets by 158%. The Africa Centre is a collaborating centre of UNAIDS, partners with the Presidency of South Africa, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Western Cape Department of Health, the Futures Group, the Health Policy Initiative (USAID), the Signature Trust, Broadway Cares, the Belgian Embassy, Ecumenical Foundation of Strategic Development, @Heart and the New Apostolic Church Cape.
