Step Up 2 HIV campaign a success

HIP HOP artistes, dancers and youths who attended the recent ‘Step Up 2 HIV’ awareness campaign at Sakubva Beithall have described it as a huge success.

Jibilika Dance Trust organised the campaign.

Jibilika Dance Trust is a youth run social enterprise, which promotes the development of urban arts culture for recreation, engagement and empowerment of youths.

The campaign dubbed: “Step Up 2 HIV - Stepping up the fight against HIV and AIDS through popular culture” is aimed to create awareness among teenagers on STIs, HIV and AIDS. The target groups are students, teenagers and young mothers.

Local rappers who include Faith Frontiers dance crew, local rappers as well as aspiring artistes performed while a cypher was hosted where students took part in the discussions on issues such as HIV prevention, sexual reproductive health, gender, drug abuse and advocacy campaigns in schools and communities. We benefited a lot from the campaign, particularly on issues to do with risks of having unprotected sex, HIV and drug abuse. We wish such campaigns are held on a monthly basis,” a prolific dancer only identified as Rashid commented.

A member of Faith Frontiers dance crew said: “Expressing our views artistically while learning new things from the campaign on issues that affect our teenage hood as well as our music careers has been something that we always longed for. We benefited a lot. We are also happy that some adults came to the event and supported us.”

Jibilika Dance Trust programmes manager, Vera Chisvo said the campaigns they have held in several cities such as Bulawayo and Harare have been successful and highly beneficial to youths. Participants will engage in artictic activities such as beat boxing, singing and dancing.

She added: “We are providing young people with the opportunity to use their own art, media, communication styles and ideas to make a difference in their homes, schools and communities.”

The campaign, which won an award at the 2013 Zim Hip Hop Awards for the Best social impact, intends to mobilise and engage young people in HIV prevention, sexual reproductive health and advocacy campaigns in schools and communities. Step Up to HIV is a dance and music project that engages young people in promoting an HIV and AIDS free generation. Through this initiative, young people are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and tools that enable them to live positively, become AIDS activists and peer educators in their homes, schools and communities.