MIV/Vigs en dat hulle alles in hul vermoë sal doen om die dodelike siekte te vermy.

Die eed van onthouding by kerslig sal voor verskeie politici, hoofde van staatsdepartemente en gemeenskapsleiers afgelê word en sal na verwagting ontvang word deur die Superintendent-generaal van Onderwys in die Wes-Kaap, Ronald Swartz.

THE Western Cape Education Department's Safe Schools programme is being augmented by an alliance with the non-profit mentoring organisation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Africa (BBBSSA) - who recently matched there first 'Bigs' with 'Littles' from New Orleans Primary and High School.

BBBSSA facilitates life-affirming relationships between adult volunteers ("Bigs") and youth-in-need ("Littles") in order to make a positive difference.

Their partnership with the Safe Schools Programme entails sourcing and matching adult volunteers with Western Cape schoolchildren who have been identified by the programme as being in need of a positive role model to assist them in building personal values such as self-esteem, self-respect and respect for others. 

Whilst the relationship may only last a year, the effects typically last a lifetime. 

The Safe Schools model is a long-term, preventative one with a three-prong strategy encompassing environmental, behavioural and systems safety programmes. The BBBSSA partnership provides them with a positive community-based initiative.

"Mentoring has proven to be an effective tool for helping young people maximise their potential," says Nariman Kahn, Manager of Safe Schools.

"A healthy friendship with a positive adult role model helps a child to make better decisions for their life. They are less likely to use drugs or join gangs, more likely to stay in school and pursue an education, and they have hope for their future. 

"We are delighted to partner with BBBSSA in this venture. Their training and ongoing support to volunteers is of the highest standard, and their matches are goal directed, ensuring results."

BBBSSA has initiated a major drive to recruit adult volunteers from communities. These matches in Paarl marked their 100th match in their Safe Schools project.

If you have ever asked yourself what you can do to make a positive difference to life in South Africa, here's your answer - you can be a Big Brother or a Big Sister. All it takes is one hour of your week.

Contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Africa on 447-2227 or e-mail makeadifference@bbbssa.org.za.

BENDES, dwelms, seksuele en gewone mishandeling, asook swak skoolbywoning is maar enkele van die kopsere as dit by jongmense kom.

Voeg hierby werkloosheid en 'n gebrek aan ontspanningsgeriewe, en jy sit met 'n kookpot van sosiale probleme.

"Ons moet ophou praat oor probleme met die jeug en liewer iets begin doen," sê Hidowhan Swartz, ondervoorsitter: Wes-Kaap Provinsiale Jeug Aksie.

Hy het Maandag 'n besoek aan die woonstelblokke in Chicago en Magnolia in die Paarl gebring, wat geïdentifiseer is vir ontwikkelingsprogramme.

Swartz wil graag met die jeug en gemeenskapsleiers gesels oor hulle ideale, behoeftes en probleme, voordat daar op 'n plan van aksie besluit word.

"Ons is ook baie bekommerd oor die groot getalle kinders wat nie skoolgaan nie, en gaan beslis inskakel by die Onderwysdepartement se Stokkiesdraai-projek.

"Ons kinders moet in die skool wees en as daar 'n probleem is, wil ons weet daarvan."

Mense kan hom skakel by 872-3551 of 862-9922.

* A provincial official is investigating the problems experienced by youths in Paarl's poorest neighbourhoods.

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