It seems only fitting that I share this article shortly after Africa Day (May 25). As put forth by the South African Government, “Africa Day presents an opportunity for South Africans to   reconnect and recommit themselves in support of all governmen Africa and a better world.” This year’s Africa Day celebration theme focused on empowering youth.

Empowering our youth. What does that mean?

We have all heard the saying, “the youth are the future of tomorrow”, but do we pause to take stock in those words?

South Africa's population is largely made up of young people; those who are below the age of 35 years constitute about 66% of the total population. With over 54 million South Africans, 18.5% are between the ages 10-19; and 24% are aged 15-24 (StatSA, Mid-year population estimate). In the age group 15-24, 81% of South Africans have been tested for HIV and AIDS, however there is still a staggering 31% in total of South Africans that have never been tested.

We are now 36 years into the epidemic.

I was excited when the opportunity presented itself for me to join the team at THINK (Tuberculosis and HIV Investigative Network). As my primary focus is on the financial side of the organisation, there were times when I felt a bit removed from the cause. Having worked with THINK over the past two years, I have come to realise that every effort in this fight, whether it be in the field or in the office, makes a difference. We all need to do our part to assist with the TB and HIV/AIDS epidemic.

THINK is a globally recognised not-for-profit organisation. We are focused upon conducting clinical research to alleviate suffering arising from Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV infection. THINK is based in KwaZulu-Natal which is a hotspot of the HIV epidemic, with an estimated 1.2 million infected individuals. It also suffers from a very high burden of drug resistant TB, and was the scene for the ‘XDR TB outbreak’ in 2005. This lead to the uncovering of Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR) TB.To put that in plain English, drug-resistant TB develops when the TB drug regimen (treatment) is improperly administered, or when people with TB stop their treatment before the disease has been fully eradicated from their body.

Research has been shown that the impact of TB is disproportionately felt by the poor. According to the South African Early Childhood Review 2016, 63% of young South African children live in poverty. One million children are infected with TB each year around the world.  In most cases, these children do not have access to proper treatment.

How do we empower our youth if we are unable to protect them? How do we raise them in a safe and healthy environment if we do not have access to the information needed to do so? Is it not our responsibility or at least the responsibility of those that have the means to do so?

Only by educating people are we able to make them aware of the extent of infection in our country. I would like to say that we all know what the TB and HIV/AIDS virus is, but do we really know what the extent of this epidemic is? Do we know what the side effects of the treatment are; the burden placed on family members; the discrimination that is so often associated with this epidemic?

In 2015 I participated in an outreach programme that was initiated by THINK. It involved a door to door campaign providing free screening for TB and HIV testing. Together with the Cato Manor Clinic, the THINK staff, Community Care Givers and iThembuLethu, teams were formed at various sites in Cato Crest and headed out into the community. This free service greatly increased the community’s awareness of TB. The day proved to be a big success with the community who were encouraged by the support offered by all those involved. The event was covered by the local broadcast station, SABC, https://youtu.be/C5GRCPYiDOg. The campaign is one of my highlights to date and I will always remember it as bitter sweet. This was my first encounter and realisation of how little people are aware of the TB epidemic and what support is out there.

THINK also initiated a school speech competition with six participating secondary schools, whereby students were encouraged to prepare a twenty-minute speech on TB infection and prevention; TB treatment and treatment impact; and TB clinical research and the benefit thereof.

THINK’s most recent project is a collaboration with another South African NPO to manage The Global Fund grant for the implementation of programmes addressing the HIV/AIDS and TB epidemic. The focus is primarily in Umlazi, Umhkomazi and Umbumbulu (eThekwini metropolitan in KwaZulu-Natal).

The main objective of this collaboration is to provide counselling and support. Adherence clubs are being established for patients that have been on treatment for at least 12 months. Treatment plans do not cure you of AIDS but only help to keep the infection under control and help your immune system to stay strong, to fight against other infections. There are many factors associated with poor adherence; inadequate home support, inability to take time off work to go to the clinics, non-disclosure of HIV status, are to name a few. The adherence clubs aim to motivate, encourage and help participants stick to their treatment plan by creating a network of support and continuous education.

Is it not vital then that HIV/AIDS and TB Education and Training be a priority? Training will create awareness of HIV and TB, promote safer sex and encourage people to test for HIV and to get counselling.

In order to promote an understanding of workers’ rights; including health care, testing and conditions of employment we should be equipping workplaces with a basic knowledge of HIV and TB, and prevention skills. Employers need to encourage and promote maximal health awareness in the workplace.

SiyabongaNzimande (Director at THINK and Advocate for TB and HIV vaccine research) once said something that resonated with me, “I believe that change starts with one person at a time, that people do not change as a result of receiving information only but when they see those around them change.”

So, let’s change. Let’s change the stigma and discrimination that are so often associated with the TB and HIV/AIDS epidemic. Let’s create a network of support and change thus enabling the youth to take control of external factors that shape their lives. Let’s give our youth the psychological tools to assist them in knowing how to address problems that can harm their quality of life.

Let’s educate. Let’s support. In the spirit of Africa Day - Let’s reconnect and recommit.

Let’s empower ourselves in the hope to empower our youth.

Please contact THINK if you would like to participate in our Wellness Peer Education Programme. It starts with us. Educating ourselves is the only way we can ever hope to educate our future.