WKU Presentation

WhizzKids UnitedHealth Academy

Clyde Dantu – Programme Director

WhizzKids United | 11 January 2016

WHO ARE WEWhizzKids United’s Health Academy is our very own adolescent sexual health clinic and youth Centre. Run in partnership with

the KwaZulu- Natal Department of Health, we offer a complete football-led package of prevention, care, treatment and support

services for youth.The Health Academy serves as a hub in the community and is a

key element in providing sustainable services to the youth.


WHERE WE ARE

WhizzKids United is situated at the very heart of the South African HIV epidemic – Edendale, KwaZulu Natal.


WHAT WE DOThe Health Academy covers over 20 clinical, educational and

empowerment services to over 6000 youth each year. The Health Academy eliminates the stigmas that drive the HIV

epidemic. The Academy is a safe hub in the community; a place where young people feel warmly welcomed, regardless of their HIV status. HIV positive and negative youth engage with each

other in football matches and other activities without worrying about who is positive.


HEALTH SERVICESHEALTH ACADEMY: The WKU Health Academy provides youth with three monthly one-on-one counselling and risk assessments; HIV counselling & testing; ARV treatment and psychosocial support; adherence counselling; couple counselling; rape trauma support; sexual and reproductive health services including treatment and management of sexually transmitted infections and family planning.


SCHOOL PROGRAMMESON THE BALL: This programme was designed by WKU to be an engaging and youth focused programme that uses the wonderful game of football to teach life lessons by using analogies. This includes the importance of goals, teamwork and knowing your strength in order to be successful.


AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMESEDUCATION: These programmes are delivered daily in the afternoons and include Homework Club, Book Club, Chess Club and Arts & Crafts Club. These educational activities attract many young people between 11 and 16 years old, enabling us to teach them life skills from an early age and introduce them to clinic services including our three monthly sexual health risk assessment and HIV testing.


AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMESEMPOWERMENT THROUGH FOOTBALL: We have male and female football teams as well as a Mixed Gender League which helps develop young girls’ and boys’ self esteem, self-confidence and self-efficacy – giving them an equal voice in their communities. These leagues successfully promote three monthly health check-ups, MMC for boys and family planning for girls.


AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMESSIYAKHONA: The Siyakhona programme equips youth with media skills and our youth develop their own health promotion posters, which are then displayed in schools for the benefit of all throughout our 5km target area. This programme also focuses on drama and acting which helps promote self-confidence.


EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMESGAME CHANGERS: The Game Changers programme was launched in 2014 to help unemployed youth in the community. Game Changers is a year-long programme which provides youth with personal and professional development, functional skills and a two month internship with local companies helping them prepare for employment or further education and training.


FEEDING SCHEMEOVC: WKU orphans and vulnerable children are supported through our tailored interventions which include home visits, daily feeding scheme, school uniforms, support securing birth certificates and social welfare grants, educational support and health services.


SUPPORT GROUPSSATURDAY SUPPORT GROUP: Each month WKU hosts a support group for young people who are HIV+. The aim of this group is to provide support for these vulnerable young people through peer group discussions, additional counselling and empowerment activities that increase their self-confidence and communication skills.


SCHOOL OUTREACHSCHOOL ASSEMBLIES: We have partnered with another NGO called Siyaka to create a fun and interesting play that educates youth on general health and the programmes and services available at WKU.


SCHOOL OUTREACHSCHOOL SHUTTLE SERVICE: Was started in 2015 and has received great reviews. After an agreement with the principle we collect 9 pupils in our Toyota Quantum and bring them through to WKU. The pupils receive a tour of WKU and then a one-on-one counseling session. Pupils also receive lunch before returning to school.


GOING FORWARDWhizzKids United has a unique partnership with the Department

of Health who provide us with a full time Doctor, Nurses, Counsellors, Cleaners, ARVs and medical treatment.

We are the DoH ‘FLAGSHIP’ for youth health services in South Africa. We plan to launch a further 10 Health Academies in South

Africa with the Department of Health over the next ten years.

Thank You

Documents

WKU Presentation