Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - June 19, 2005
Futhi Ntshingila, Johannesburg
The project is a collaboration between the Human Sciences Research Council and the University of KwaZulu-Natal's School of Psychology. It has parents using a cartoon-based storyline to introduce topics such as sex, puberty, and HIV/Aids to their children.
The project was launched after families living in townships and semi-rural areas told researchers that poor communication between parents and children was a major obstacle in their dealing with HIV/Aids.
Inge Petersen, head of the School of Psychology, said that the cartoons helped caregivers and children aged between nine and 11 years to talk about the topics.
"The project aims at strengthening communication in families with pre-adolescent children. Establishing low-risk behaviours in pre-adolescent youth is more successful than ... changing existing high-risk behaviours," she said.
The 10-week programme is known as Champ -- the Collaborative HIV/ Aids Adolescent Mental Health Project.
In one of the chapters, a mother discovers that her 11-year-old daughter has started menstruating. The story encourages debate around how the mother should talk to her daughter about this sensitive issue.
Each week, parents and children are encouraged to discuss the cartoon story, which depicts the lives of two neighbouring families, one of them affected by HIV/Aids.
Participants suggest good behaviour patterns for the characters in the story.
A preliminary analysis of the first 288 participating families -- from Cato Manor and Embo at kwaNyuswa near Botha's Hill -- shows that the project is helping to break through the communication barrier.
It has changed the parenting style of Thandazile Cele, who has five daughters.
Cele entered the programme with her third daughter, Portia, who is 11 years old.
"I become more understanding and I listen to her now. I can see that Portia trusts me now. She knows I won't be angry with her or scold her. This really brought change to me and my girls," said Cele.
Portia said the programme had brought her closer to her mother.
"I know what happens to my body and the changes as I grow up. I am happy that I have my mother to talk to. I respect her more now because she doesn't scold me, we talk instead," she said.
Petersen said preliminary results show Champ has had a significant impact on families. The programme will eventually be rolled out nationally.
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