Image source: pact
ChommY is a social behavioural change programme in South Africa which aims to help children between the ages of 10 and 14 make informed choices to reduce HIV infections, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.
ChommY
Overview
Background
ChommY was launched in 2020 as a sister programme to the South African Department of Social Development’s YOLO programme which targets older adolescents and young adults. The programme makes use of indigenous games (such as diketo, umgusha, morabaraba and hopscotch), with each game representing important life values for children.
Additionally the programme allows children to document their life goals through journaling, and provides them an environment to develop positive relationships with their peers. Combined, these activities aim to encourage positive decision-making among participants. Source
As the term “ChommY” is colloquial for “friend”, the programme strongly encourages team building and collaboration among children, allowing them to develop strong supporting networks to minimize involvement in risky behaviour.
ChommY launch in the City of Ekurhuleni – May 2023
On 13 May 2023, the South African Department of Social Development launched ChommY at the Vosloorus Civic Centre in Ekurhuleni, South Africa. The programme aims to allow youth living in Ekurhuleni hostels to take part in indigenous games, share solutions and experiences among each other, and to interact with the ChommY mascot, Bokamoso. Source
ChommY’s launch in the City of Ekurhuleni included the promotion of the programme’s new theme: “Invest in my Future…Protect me Today”, introduced by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu. Source
“Games help bridge the gap between the young and the old generation and create conversations in a fun and interactive manner. On the day we launched the program, we saw the older generation sharing some of their life experiences with the young people and young people listening and also using some of the shared lessons.”
– Keneilwe Thipe, Free State’s Provincial Manager.
Implementation and funding
As with the YOLO programme, ChommY is coordinated by the South African Department of Social Development (DSD) Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCCC) Programme.
Both YOLO and ChommY are funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and was partly facilitated through USAID’s partner Pact South Africa.
Collateral examples
TV interviews
On social media
Social media channels
In the news
- Putting South Africa’s youth first with an innovative campaign to reduce HIV, risky behavior (June 2020)
- Social Development launches Government-to-Government Social and Behaviour Change Programme for children, 29 July 2020 (July 2020)
- Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu launches ChommY – a social and behavioural change programme, 13 May (May 2023)
- Supporting Ekurhuleni’s Youth with ChommY Program (May 2023)
- Children from Ekurhuleni to benefit from behavioural change programme (May 2023)
- Teenage pregnancies continue to rise across the country (May 2023)
- Social development launches ‘ChommY’ to help teens minimise ‘risky behaviour’ (May 2023)
- ChommY is here to save the day! (May 2023)
- ChommY Master Trainers gear up to change the face of Social Development in South Africa (May 2023)
- Charting a healthy path for youth in South Africa (June 2023)
- ChommY programme to assist children make positive decisions (June 2023)
This information really help a loI,I need a book to upgrade my knowledge of all programmes
Glad you found it useful!
Good afternoon.
Can our Organization be considered for a link of chommY launch that will be held online, as we are working with teenagers from Nearby Hostel.
Hi Rachel. I have updated the ChommY webpage with information about the launch on 13 May in the City of Ekurhuleni, however I haven’t seen a recording of the event anywhere. If you happen to have one, I would be happy to share it on this page. Thanks!
How can one take part in assisting the young people on this program
Good day
I hope this email finds you well. My name is Tshegofatso Masenya, I am a 24 year old medical doctor at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in Johannesburg. As a social entrepreneur, I have a vested interest in the development and empowerment of young people. To this end, I founded GoShare, a donation-based crowdfunding organization that enables tertiary students to raise funds to cover their outstanding fee debt in order to pursue a tertiary education, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
I would be incredibly honoured to be a part of the ChommY social behavioural change programme in order to be a part of the ongoing efforts of centering the South African youth in conversations and discussions that have a tangible impact on their livelihood. I have worked extensively as a public speaker targeting young people on subject matters ranging from substance abuse to relationships and teenage pregnancy and through these interactive workshops, I have gained immense insights on the needs and blindspots of the youth which allows me to curate the content in a way that is relevant and approachable.
With that said, I would like to be a part of facilitating similar workshops around Gauteng. With Child Protection Week in full effect, I believe that one of the most vital steps to protecting children is equipping them with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves by taking decisions that are in their own best interest. We can do this through ongoing engagement in spaces that are safe and conducive for learning and unlearning.
I look forward to working alongside you, unlocking the potential of those who advance the world.
Kind regards
Dr Tshegofatso Masenya
MBChB (UCT)
My Name is Motheo currently I’m in to social programs at the moment I am doing CHOMMY program it’s existing and really it Equip children with knowledge of how to protect themselves I’m learning to be a facilitator I’m very encouraged.
Hello my name is tintswalo I I grreatful to hear about chommy and I support them the it can help our children