HIV TESTING PROMOTION CAMPAIGN - "GET IT RITE" Go Testing!!!

The South African government has announced a new approach to HIV and AIDS, in terms of a massive prevention and HIV testing promotion strategy, as well as new treatment protocols. As part of a recent speech given by Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, it was reported that the Lancet Medical Journal says South Africa forms 0.7% of the global population, yet carries 17% of the HIV burden. He went on to say that: "A war is still going to be won. We'll only win when we stand together as government, as civil society. We need to undertake a massive campaign of voluntary counseling and testing."

Youth of Choice Organization (YOC) has heeded this call to action with our Get it Rite HIV testing promotion campaign which encourages young people to do the responsible thing and get tested. YOC believes that young people should be responsible, step up to the challenge and get tested. Young people are reluctant and scared to get tested, but we want to change that mindset, demystify the myths and take away the stigma that young people associate with being tested. What we are saying to all young with this HIV testing promotion campaign is that knowing your status is empowering. It allows you to plan for a bright future with or without the virus.

In Pietermaritzburg region, HIV prevalence is particularly devastating and Umgungundlovu district has the highest prevalence (45.7%) of HIV infections among pregnant women countrywide. This means that almost every second pregnant woman in the district is HIV positive. That picture is far worse. HIV is our problem and the solution is to “GET IT RITE” by knowing your status first. The “GET IT RITE” HIV testing promotion campaign is a program initiated by Youth of Choice Organization (YOC), that uses the youth lifestyle elements such as hip hop, poetry and krump as a strong voice in encouraging young people to get tested for HIV and both raising AIDS awareness as well as funds for the education.

The ultimate result lies in the fact that not only does the youth get entertained and express themsenves through this art forms, but feel the call to get tested for HIV, in some way, this campaign can contribute towards HV/AIDS awareness efforts. With the campaign we hope to reach 500 to 600 young people every month.