South Coast Hospice hashtags the youth through #Ya2i

South Coast Hospice based in the Ugu District in partnership with Broadreach Health Services and Department of Health, takes HIV testing, counselling and treatment to a new zone with the #Ya2i youth project.

 

South Coast Hospice based in the Ugu District in partnership with Broadreach Health Services and Department of Health, takes HIV testing, counselling and treatment to a new zone with the #Ya2i youth project.

The beginning of a great story.

Due to low numbers of youth being tested for HIV in the Ugu Region South Coast Hospice started the #Ya2i Project.

#Ya2i was created due to the low levels of testing amongst the youth on the South Coast regarding HIV test and treat. It was noted that the most unresponsive age groups were between 14 – 26 years old. The #Ya2i project was aimed to not only combat the stigma around HIV but to also unite the youth in being aware. The name ‘yazi’ is a Zulu word meaning ‘to know’.

#Ya2i is not only about getting the youth of South Africa to test but also to alert young people around the dangers of drug abuse and an unhealthy lifestyle, protecting yourself and others from infection and making vision 2020 possible. This project is unique because it is for the youth by the youth making dynamic communication modern and accessible.

Our experiences during the #Ya2i project

We learnt:

  •          Mobilising the youth at schools really works.
  •          Dedicated Lay Counsellors at clinics to fast track, test and treat really works.
  •          Our confidence in public speaking and knowledge of HIV in relation to the youth has really worked.

  •         Working in the data office as well as mobilising has made the statistics real.

  •   Through the #ya2i project young volunteers have come forward and it has given us an opportunity to share knowledge on the work that hospice does and  the importance of palliative care in our community.
  •  The total number of people tested was 32209, of the total number tested the number of #Ya2i youth tested was 14184. Reflecting a staggering 44% of total tested being youth.

Where to from here?

The #Ya2i journey never ends. Together, through WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram we continue to support and counsel on issues that could be barriers to adherence and a healthy lifestyle.

  •          Stigma
  •          Grief and loss
  •          Alcohol and drug abuse
  •          Sexual abuse
  •          Unprotected sex
  •          Unwise choices

  •          Sexual discrimination

  •    Gender violence
  •    Cultural inequality

Our end target with #Ya2i

We are all focused on working towards a HIV/AIDS free generation. There is no need for anyone to feel as if they don’t belong or that they are not needed. We will continue to offer adherence support. Like our slogan ‘You have a right to know your status and keep it the same’. Join us on this journey and let’s make the stigma fall!

To enquire more about #Ya2i you can get us on:

Facebook @ Yazi South Coast Hospice and like our Ya2i page

Instagram @ ya2i.schospice

And for direct questions our WhatsApp:

064 751 7191