Lunched in 2017, the South African YOLO – ‘You Only Live Once’ – health programme sought to reduce HIV acquisition and teenage pregnancy among young people aged 15-24.
YOLO
Overview
Background
Underpinned by the socio-ecological model of behavior change, the programme included a number of facilitator-lead sessions that aimed provide a safe environment in which young people could discuss HIV prevention, teenage pregnancy, and sexuality. Additionally, the programme aims to build general resilience and self-esteem among youth participants, particualry in respect to making decisions about drugs, alcohol and safe-sex.
The programme itself is a revision of the former social and behaviour change Gold Model programme which focused on orphans and youth.
The programme’s tagline: “It’s your choice, it’s your life… Behave responsibly,” serves as a reminder to the youth to own their choices and to make insightful decisions – including their right to say “No!” to any involvement in social ills including substance abuse, crime and underage sexual interaction.
Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, South African Deputy Minister of the Department of Social Development.
Latest youth career opportunities and events in South Africa
Implementation and funding
The YOLO programme is coordinated by the South African Department of Social Development (DSD) Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCCC) Programme.
The programme is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and is facilitated through USAID’s partner Pact South Africa.
Results
- A total of 107,040 young people have taken part in the programme.
- The programme has been well received, with participants demonstrating an increased knowledge of HIV, and understanding of gender norms and related life skills.
- The programme has resulted in the commissioning of a sister programme (ChommY) for a younger age group, incorporating evidence from the YOLO evaluation.
- There appears to be no public final evaluation report for the programme as this stage
I would like to get more information about this program and new amendments to adapt on new information as a profession who work mostly with youth relating to this YOLO program
Hi Malibongwe. Given that the programme is a few years old now, I think your best bet is to contact the Department of Social Development directly at http://www.dsd.gov.za, or even one the programme’s implementers, such as Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu (on LinkedIn).
Can someone help me in implementing the YOLO youth program
Our organization want to embark on this program