Tapping into what the youth wants to know

AMAZE is an online series on sex education

FOR THE first time in South Africa, the AMAZE sex and reproductive health education online series has gone live. The first two episodes entitled Bullying and Sexual Orientation are live on www.amaze. org.za with the third episode ( Healthy Relationships) due to go live on Monday. The 11part series will roll out over November and into December on YouTube, social media and www.amaze.org.za.

AMAZE i s an online animated video series for 10-14-year-olds that tackle the tough questions young people have about their changing bodies, sexuality, healthy relationships and behaviour. The series originated in the US, and now a portion has been adapted for a South African audience, including translation into Xhosa and Afrikaans and new locally relevant characters and topics.

AMAZE’s local partner in South Africa is Marie Stopes who, through a grant from the Westwind Foundation, has worked to localise and distribute the content in South Africa. Marie Stopes operates a national network of sexual and reproductive health centres.

Whitney Chinogwenya, brand and communications manager for Marie Stopes, said, “The South African AMAZE series hopes to be a resource for 10-14-year-olds to help them navigate their adolescence with accurate, age appropriate information about sexuality that’s presented in an educating and entertaining way.”

The 11-episode series can be viewed by tweens or teens on their devices or shared with them by care-givers and teachers who can use the videos to facilitate broader conversations about what healthy sexuality and relationships look like.