Students help AIDS education in S. Africa

Olivier Letant, WG'06
Posted: Monday, April 11, 2005

Thirty-two percent of the population of Port Elizabeth is HIV positive and some say the actual number for the surrounding townships may reach the frightening fifty percent threshold. But beyond the numbers, there are real people. The people of South Africa, orphans left behind and the individuals who will need to build the future of a nation hit by the most deadly disease in African history.

On April 20th, twenty-one Wharton students and five HBS students arrived in Port Elizabeth to witness first-hand the dire conditions there. These MBA students were part of Students4Students (S4S), a partnership of business school students and alumni that invests in sustainable education and committed to improving lives throughout the developing world.

While in Port Elizabeth, the S4S group met with their partner, Ubuntu, a South African NGO focused on sustainable community-owned-and-operated education initiatives. "We are not a charity, says 28-year old Jacob Lief, President and Founder of Ubuntu, "we build sustainable programs with tangible goals. This matches the S4S motto: "In for the long run."

S4S has pledged to raise funds that will go toward Ubuntu's Mpilo-Lwazi health education program, which reaches more than 55,000 people through the provision of health education classes in 24 township schools, including youth counseling, community outreach workshops and sustainable food gardens. S4S has made a two-year commitment to Ubuntu and will continue to focus on South African projects for the next five years.

The S4S group visited several schools and was greeted by crowds of cheering kids ecstatic to see foreign students who had traveled half-way across the globe to show their support. Dancing, singing or reciting poems (see below), they left a strong impression on their visitors. "Having spent time in the townships, I am more inspired and touched than ever before. There is nothing that can describe the joy of these kids when you meet them. It is certainly worth all our efforts," says Rush McCloy, one of the founders of Students4Students.

"The area is characterized by high unemployment and health issues, but above all, this is the passion that we want to spur because these kids are the future of our nation," explained Javis Gqamlana, the Director of the Clover County School. Education is the only way out of this downward spiral that claims thousands of victims every day and has already left behind millions of orphans. The fact that 80% of young adults aged 15-25 lack a comprehensive knowledge of HIV remains a sad reality that needs to be altered.

While in the townships, the S4S group also attended AIDS awareness workshops where health educators discussed sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS prevention. It was an opportunity to experience the challenges on the ground: while condom usage seems to be more acceptable, there is still considerable ignorance. For example, questions still arise about the potential effectiveness of recycled condoms. But the fact that young men and women come to these cramped shacks to share their fears and to seek advice about the devastating disease is certainly a strong sign of hope for the future.

To raise awareness and generate funds for this initiative, the S4S team also participated in the Cape Town Two Oceans Ultra-Marathon on April 26th. "When I first heard that these American students were running the marathon to raise money to help us build more counseling centers, I got choked up I couldn't believe it," said Ubuntu Health Educator Vuyo Tshafa. In a spirit of collective effort, health educators from Ubuntu also joined the race, while kids from the townships lined up and encouraged them.

Now back in the United States, the runners are not resting either. They are already working on their next operation: a gala benefit in New York on May 12. The objective is not only to raise money, but also to raise awareness about the growing needs of these communities. The race continues!




Copyright 2004 Wharton Journal