Project Background
PhotoVoice began its project working with children infected / affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa in September 2006 in Orange Farm, a vast informal settlement 60km south of Johannesburg. It is the most isolated, least integrated region of Johannesburg. With over 1m people, 40% are younger than 18. 50% of the population have no income and approximately 62% of the remainder earn less than R1500 a month, indicating that the majority live below the breadline. Unemployment is estimated at 70%, far higher than the national average, with most of those employed being in elementary occupations, which is indicative of low levels of education and skills development.
There is little to do recreationally, pleasures are few and crime (including rape) and substance abuse levels are high. Such an environment provides fertile ground for the spread of HIV.
In spite of acquired education about how HIV is spread and how best to protect oneself, people continue to knowingly risk their lives through unsafe sexual practices. This project provides an innovative opportunity for young people themselves to challenge this phenomenon and to look beyond the traditional education programmes.
The Photography project was run in conjunction with Vukuzenzele Reflect Community Organisation (VRCO), and involved a series of digital photography workshops for young people between the ages of 12-18 who have been affected by HIV/AIDS.
Key project objectives:
- Therapeutic benefits - To enable young people affected by AIDS in South Africa to express their feelings in a creative and positive way
- Self- Advocacy - To provide AIDS orphans with a voice and a powerful means of raising awareness and understanding of their experiences and needs
- Education - To create educational resources that will help counter negative stereotypical thinking about HIV/AIDS
- Skills for young people - To provide concrete digital media skills and valuable IT ability for young people with limited other opportunities
The project aims to result in touring exhibitions and screenings across South Africa (2008) as well as in the UK (2008/2009). These exhibitions and the accompanying distribution of a booklet, will further awareness and education of HIV/AIDS across South Africa thereby ensuring the maximum impact of the project. The exhibitions in the UK will aim to generate additional funds for the project as well as to further awareness of HIV/AIDS in Africa.