DSD youth social behaviour change programmes receive funding boost

THE national Department of Social Development ( DSD) has partnered with the United States Agency for International Development ( USAID) to launch a government- to- government ( G2G) programme implementing social behavioural change ( SBC) programmes in Kwazulu- Natal.

Nonhlanhla Khoza, KZN MEC for Social Development has welcomed the programme. “The US government has made funds available for the South African government to implement two of DSD’S flagship SBC programmes, YOLO and Chommy,” explained Khoza.

Both programmes target children and young people between the ages of 10 and 24.

“YOLO and Chommy are part of DSD’S compendium of SBC programmes that seek to reduce risky sexual behaviours to prevent new HIV infections. YOLO targets young people between the ages of 15 and 24 under the tagline: ‘ It’s my life, it’s my choice … I choose to behave responsibly’. The aim is to build young people’s self- esteem, confidence, self- sufficiency and resilience to deal with adverse situations.

“Chommy targets children under the tagline: ‘ Invest in my future … Protect me today’. Through the use of indigenous games, it aims to educate, develop skills and empower children to make informed choices in order to reduce HIV infections, substance abuse and prevent teenage pregnancies.

“The word Chommy is a colloquial term for friend, and the programme aims to build positive friendships among 10 to 14- year olds. It encourages young boys and girls to motivate and support one another in avoiding risky behaviours,” concluded Khoza.

The G2G programme will assist DSD to scale up these programmes in KZN and Gauteng for a period of five years.