Love Matters is a program of lifestyle and sexuality education for teenagers between 13 and 19 years of age in order to help decrease the tragic rates of HIV/AIDS infection in South Africa.

- PRESENTATION -

In line with Don Bosco educative mission in the “Preventive System”. The Salesians at Bosco Youth Centre strive to respond to the crucial need of preventing young teenagers and pre-teenagers from the tragedy of HIV/AIDS. Indeed more than two in ten South Africans are HIV positive. Young people are the most vulnerable and their future depends on their sexual education.

That is why in august 2001 the Salesians of Don Bosco decided to launch “Love Matters”, a weeklong spiritual program which encourages and leads young people between the ages of 12 and 19 to change their behaviour. To this end, a wide range of activities and group discussions help participants to understand and grow their appreciation of the gift of sexuality. The aim is to encourage teenagers to save sex for marriage. Every thing is done to make the teens aware of the threat of the pandemic of AIDS to themselves and to realize that the solution lies in abstinence rather than in risky behaviour patterns.

- FROM INFORMATION TO TRANSFORMATION -

TO DOWNLOAD A COMPLETE TIMETABLE OF THE WEEK

CLICK HERE

- EVERY GROUP IS WELCOMED -

The program is more directed for teenagers (between 13 & 19). We work in partnership with any school or church in Gauteng. The program is aimed at the most disadvantaged teenagers since they are the most exposed and vulnerable to HIV infection. Teenagers of any culture, any creed, any colour are welcome to participate in the program. A team of local volunteers who represent many of the country’s language groups, enable us to offer some sessions in isiZulu or seSotho.

The program is also regularly observed by adults : Educators, teachers, parents... are welcome to observe the program out of sheer curiosity, but especially with a view to replicate whichever parts of it they find relevant in their own working with young people. During the past year, adapted Love Matters programs have evolved in Tzaneen and Rustenberg as a result of interested adults having participated in the Bosco program.

WHO RUN THE PROGRAM???

At the origin of the program, we find the Salesians of Don Bosco who, concerned about the situation of youth in South Africa, decided in 2001, to launch a program for teens against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Worldwide, in 129 countries, the Salesians of Don Bosco are committed in the field of education to the uplifting of poor and abandoned youth, through schools, youth movements, street children programs…

At Bosco Centre the program is presented jointly by a team of health experts ( doctors, nurses…), educators ( Salesians, Covenant Players…), various invited speakers ( married couples, role-models), and young-adult peer ministers who volunteer a year of their life in the service of young people.

- OUR GOALS -

- To rescue at least some young people from becoming statistics of HIV / AIDS infection.

- To provide teens with correct information about HIV / AIDS and eliminate commonly held myths.

- To encourage moral responsible sexual behaviour among teens, with the chief emphasis on abstinence and fidelity.

- Propose to youth a forum where they can ask any question they like and be listened to. No subject is taboo!

- OUR ARCHIEVEMENTS -

- Almost 1000 young people followed the program between October 2001 and the end of 2002.

- The results of Scientific surveys effected and the analysis by a psychologist and a number of educators give the program a serious credibility and confirm a real behaviour change among participants. Young people return home with a new vision for their life and a greater awareness of their responsibilities!

- Funding for 75% of the program costs was raised to make it available to the needy and more vulnerable teens who could not have afforded the R400 per person that is required to cover costs.

What have the participants have to say about the program...

Between 2 and 6 months after the experience, participants are asked to complete a questionnaire which will be compared to the one they filled in before attending the program. Our survey has been designed to indicate the degree of behaviour modification displayed in their lives. Although not really scientific and subjective to the honesty of participants’ replies, it provides some indication of the impact the program had on their lives. Here are some examples of their feed back:

- This program will make my life more enjoyable.
- I learnt how to respect and behave. I learnt to appreciate myself the way I am.
- I will respect my body and other people’s bodies. It will help me to make my own choices.
- This program will guide me to make the right choices in my life
- I will teach fellow young people to abstain from sex
- I learnt that a child really needs both parents.
- It changed the way I used to think before
- This program made me think in a more positive way
- I have to do good things for other people so that I can help in the community and love others
- I will avoid making my own mistakes and learn from others’ mistakes. I am now a new person
- I will be faithful to my partner
- I now understand how sex works.
- In a way, I now understand better what life is all about
- I will keep my virginity until marriage
- If someone wants to force me to have sex I must make the right decision and say “No”
- I must wait till my time comes.
- I will really wait for true love
- Now I must face my challenges and make my own decisions
- Abstinence is the only reliable contraceptive.
- That God can forgive us over and over again. That we are precious and fragile
- I will be more careful concerning my decisions, I will love with my soul, heart and not my pussy.
- I learnt a lot and I will be telling my parent all that I know.
- I will alert those who don’t know about abortion and AIDS.
- It has shown me that a relationship does not revolve around sex and from now on I’m going to see my girlfriend as a close friend not a ‘bed mate’
- This week made me realized how special I am. I learnt to save myself pure. I will not forget God too.
- I will go a long way with the guidance received at Bosco for the rest of my life and I will know what to teach to my children when I will be married.

CLIK HERE TO HAVE SOME MORE FEEDBACK

- Our Love Matters week for 2003 -

Mini-Love Matters over a weekend also possible.

- but not even comparable with the long week experience! -

- PARTICIPATION FEE -

Because we really want to make this experience available to all teenagers, we only ask for a R150.00 per participant. This include food, accommodation, material... That’s probably less than what it costs parents to keep participants fed and attended to for the same number of days.

The actual cost per person for the program adds up to R450.00, the balance of R300 is covered by our fundraising efforts.

YES, I want to book a week!

You want to have more information?

- BE PARTNER OF THE PROGRAM -

To be able to offer the program at such a low participation fee, we are continuously looking for some generous people who really understand the need for this program and who will be willing to sponsor some participants. We need you to be our partner!

For the five days of workshop the cost per participant is R450 (all inclusive).
- R350 for board and lodging
- R45 for materials
- R35 for transport and guests speakers
- R20 for admin costs.

We want to offer the program to 1000 teens in 2003.
That implies a budget of R450,000. Each participant is requested to contribute a minimum fee of R150 if possible. So around R300,000 is required to sponsor the rest. Furthermore we would like ensure that no young person is ever excluded because of an inability to pay even a nominal fee.
Today we are still looking for at least R 209,600 to allow 1000 Youth to participate to Love Matters during this year!

PLEASE HELP US - EVERY LITTLE BIT ENCOURAGE & ENABLE US TO CARRY ON

Other projects which need funding...

Production of a video of a Love Matters’ week to explain the program and promote prevention initiatives in schools and among parents and educators... Cost : R25,000

Printing of a ‘’survival kit’’ A booklet which will be given to each participant summing up the essential input presented during the week. Cost : R22,000

Love Matters support groups
We would like to promote a ‘’Post-Love Matters experiences‘’ in 2003. At present participants are only encouraged to form in their schools their own support groups. But we realize there is a need for a facilitating team consisting of two volunteers and a health worker to make this happen in local communities. Costs : R70,000 per annum.

A Hall
We need a hall that would enable Bosco to accommodate 300. That is the board and lodging capacity at Bosco Centre but our largest room cannot seat more than 100. The cost of such a structure is estimated at close to 1 million Rand.

I want to know more about our financial results in 2002 (link historic annexe) or about our Funds Required for 2003

Yes I want to help us in your struggle against AIDS!