- South Africa (RSA) has the largest number of people living with HIV&AIDS (PLWHA) in the world, over 5.3 million , with 1.1 million orphans.
- Families are under increased strain as more caregivers fall ill and die. 
- It has become a matter of urgency to find new ways of dealing with these tendencies and to strengthen the knowledge and skills of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC)’s and Home Visitors, and provide them with appropriate education to build stronger, more gender-equitable relationships, reduce risk behaviour and improve wellbeing and sexual health.

Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Empowerment Project 2008

The Holistic Soul-Body Institute (HSBI) was contracted by World Vision South Africa (WVSA), funded by USAID PEPFAR to present ‘The Courage to Become ME TM’ A NEW MODEL FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT to 1000 OVC’s (Orphaned and Vulnerable Children) aged between 12 and 17. This was done in remote rural areas with limited resources.

The mandate of 1000 OVC’s was exceeded and remarkable results were found in a very short time from implementation.

In addition to the adolescents, adult Volunteers within the communities, Home Visitors (HV’s) were also trained as group leaders to ensure sustainability and building capacity of the project.

Through the outcome’s based education model concepts are introduced and experienced in a safe, playful and fun-filled way with stories, games and exercises.

This technique ensures that connections are made in the brain between the different concepts.

Adolescents are able to make informed decisions on responsible lifestyle and future planning.

208 Home Visitors effectively use this model. They successfully led teenage groups reaching 1315 teenagers and quantitatively and qualitatively measured marked changes in their lives.

Quantative Evaluation:
The teenagers answered questions on sexual readiness at the beginning of the project and then again after approximately 3 months of participation. They answered anonymously, but cited their gender and age on their answer sheets. See the accompanying graphs for results.

“I feel empowered because now Iknow I am unique and special and my life is in my hand and I know or I am proud of my self because I am valuable I values. I have learn something like I didn’t know your attitude can indulute (influence) the way you wear or dress I have learn when I grow I grow in my mind and I think differently. I have learn to respect other so that they can be able to respect me now I know I wear short skirt I disrespect my self and I have to respect my self first.” – 16 years

To download and print a brochure with more information on the project please click on this icon:

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Dancing Tango!
Find out more about why we use the Tango here.

“I know many things from those book and I have learn many thing that I didn’t know and I feel strong now. In those books I learn about a person who is empowered and non-empowered. I have learn to love, to be honest, to respect my self and other people. I see there are some changes in life. I have learn to be honest to people and to respect everyone whether you are young or adult, and to love people and to understand. I have learn to say no when I don’t want something or to do something that I don’t want to. I have learn not to sex if you are young or not ready to. I have learn to do poetry. I have enjoy everything that we have doing. I have enjoy to learn, to play, to dance and to do poems I really enjoy everything that we have doing.” – 15 years

Focusing on the Future and Community Development

The Home Visitor Volunteers and their OVC adolescent groups did exercises that focused on their futures and community development in their areas. They also did dreamboards focusing on their personal goals.

Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Empowerment Project 2009

The Courage to Become ME training programme was evolved and improved to include more information and more practical dance. See our new program here. We included an additional learning course called 'Walk the Tango' with wonderful results. We extended our reach, and are now working in Limpopo, Freestate and Eastern Cape. We have so far, this year, reached close to 7000 OVCs and 700 Home Visitors. We are shortly starting Peer Support Group Training with our learners.

A relationship has been forged between the HV’s, ADP staff and HSBI staff that will be benefited from in the continuation and further development of the project. With these relationships already in place we have seen speedier results, exponential changes and unlimited growth within both individuals and their communities. See our learner comments below.

Using Tango as a Teaching Methodology within the

Psychological Health and Wellness Program for Children

Teaching youths to relate the lessons learnt in Tango to every day life:
 - Relationships
 - Self confidence
 - Co-operation
 - Communication
 - Awareness of body language
 - Respect
 - Saying "No" and meaning it
 - Accepting "No" as an answer
 - Risk behaviour prevention and management
 - Having Fun! 

Learner Comments and Feedback:

"What did you learn during the Courage to Become ME and from 'Walking the Tango'?"

17 year old female OVC: “I can see or feel when somebody is not happy by reading their body languages. Because you have to respect your partner, the person you are dancing with.”

14 year old girl OVC: “Tango teaches respect. In life there are good leader and bad ones. Tango gives me happy thoughts. It boosts my self-confidence and energises me. It teaches me to trust.”

17 year old female OVC: “I learned that I should respect people and their space. Learning Tango made me see that other things are easy and that no thing is impossible. And I also learn to make friends. I learned that I don’t have to be ashamed or pretend to be someone I have to be myself no matter what. And I also have to respect other people and myself.”

18 year old male OVC: “It helps me to influence others to join me for what I’m doing and help me to leave others alone instant (instead). (How has my attitude towards my partner changed?) Good! In such a way that I will rather dance instant (instead) of fighting or any other bad things.”

Male OVC: “It was great because me and my partner we where have a good communication.”

17 year old male OVC: “Dance help me by having no self-eestime and having good-fun with my supporters or the viewers of the dance and everyone can enjoy having me (there).”

16 year old female OVC: “I should respect my partner. Through dance I can cope being amongst other people.”

15 year old male OVC: “(Dance) My attitude was good and fantastic so I am proud. Helped me that to exercise every day so I can forget negative things and helpe me with my emotions.”

17 year old male youth on Tango: “It brings me happy thoughts. It makes me happy and enjoying. Teaches me the way of life then I live on daily basis. Because you ask first, if the partner says no you respect the answer, to lead the follower, to follow with choice. It helps meto understand people around me and again it helps one as a follower of my parent to follow with choice and respect. Positive attitude towards the others.”

17 year old male youth on Tango: “Dancing helped to understand life better and people around me. The way to tackle everyday life challenges. I can now communicate with the other with respect and I’m aware of problems not just problems but also my dream and plans for the future.”

16 year old male OVC: “It helps me so much because it guide me gives me power to avoid crime. The dance it was great I enjoyed.”

17 year old female OVC: “At least I can cooperate with different kinds of people.”

17 year old female OVC: “I’ve learnt that I should really know that I do relate to everybody.”

18 year old male OVC: “(Partner) They co-operate with me they start trust me they are faithfulness to me. It help me to work or descus thing with people in order to share thing in life and it shows that unity is power. I now have life with good people. I start help does (those) who are in same problem I was.”

27 year old male Home Visitor: “I can differetiate between them when there is something bothers them, I start enjoy been around my fellow. It’s connects me with fellows to be used to others and be talkative and trust my self about disition that I make and believe in me.”

30 year old female Home Visitor: “(Relationships) Developed by not judging others. Everyone can be a leader. Other can be following. Being aware of our attitude and others can make a big change in our daily lifes.” 

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