South Africa Hosts World Cup
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Source: RZurba, USAID/SA |
The kickoff of the World Cup in South Africa is an opportunity for the country to showcase its many talents and treasures, as well as reflect on the serious hardships that still affect the country – especially the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The sub-Saharan Africa region is the most heavily affected by HIV worldwide. In 2008, the region accounted for more than two-thirds (67 percent) of all people living with HIV and nearly three quarters (72 percent) of AIDS-related deaths. South Africa alone is the home to the world’s largest population of people living with HIV: In 2007, 5.7 million people were infected with the disease. With a prevalence rate of 18.1 percent, South Africa remains a high priority in USAID’s work to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
To address South Africa’s major health issues, the U.S. Government (USG) partners with the South African Government (SAG) to ensure that assistance contributes to SAG’s strategic health plans. This partnership also works with nongovernment, faith-based, private, and grassroots organizations to address the impact of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, and family planning and reproductive health on the delivery of quality health care in South Africa. USAID/South Africa supports activities in all nine provincial regions of South Africa.
The USAID health mission supports SAG to build local capacity, strengthen health systems, establish and foster key partnerships, provide health care and treatment, and support innovation in the development of state-of-the-art health technologies.
Through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), South Africa received $551.4 million in FY 2009 to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Progress achieved in South Africa through direct PEPFAR support during FY 2009 includes the following:
- Supported 647,000 individuals on antiretroviral treatment and provided 172,100 HIV-positive pregnant women with antiretroviral prophylaxis for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
- Provided care and support to 2,114,300 HIV-positive individuals (including TB/HIV)
- Provided support for 486,400 orphans and vulnerable children
- Provided counseling and testing for 2,526,600 individuals and reached another 666,100 pregnant women with HIV counseling and testing sessions
- Shipped 30,933,000 USG condoms from 2004 through 2009
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USAID-supported vulnerable children lined up to get signatures from Clarence Goodson (left) and Landon Donovan (right) at the U.S. team’s open practice on June 6.
Source: USAID |
USAID-Supported Children Meet Soccer Stars
USAID-supported vulnerable children lined up to get signatures from Clarence Goodson and Landon Donovan at the U.S. team’s open practice on June 6. The children met the players only weeks before Donovan’s awe-striking goal on June 23, which qualified the U.S. team for the top seat in Group C. The goal also helped the team move on to Round 16, where they faced Ghana. The U.S. team went home after an exhausting match against the Black Stars on June 26, but left a nation proud of their accomplishment, and children in South Africa with an experience they’ll never forget.
2,400 Graduates from Grassroot Soccer Skillz Holiday Programs
On Saturday, June 26, nearly 2,400 youth graduated from Grassroot Soccer (GRS) Skillz Holiday Programs. Discussion-based activities dominated the schedule, although soccer was still a part of the last day’s curriculum. Graduation day allowed for the participants to share stories about their lives, as well as discuss topics such as the right age to have sex, why condom use is important, and how to protect themselves from HIV.
At the graduation ceremony, coaches presented the youth with certificates that symbolize their achievement and remind them to put their learning into action – or, in the GRS language, to “Make their Move!” A new set of Skillz Holiday Programs began this week, and hundreds of children across South Africa are anxiously waiting for their chance to participate, learn, and play soccer.
Watch a video of graduation day in Soweto on the GRS World Cup Blog.
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| Source: Grassroot Soccer |
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Grassroot Soccer Holds Skillz Camps
Schools in South Africa are closed for nearly six weeks during the World Cup, which can put youth at risk and families under pressure. USAID partner, Grassroot Soccer, seeks to relieve this burden by running Holiday Programs in each of its sites across South Africa during the June and July break. Designed to keep kids healthy, safe, and learning during the long break, Skillz Holiday Programs include Grassroot Soccer interventions, soccer matches, and a safe place for kids to watch World Cup games.
With support from Castrol, Grassroot Soccer is currently planning to run 45 Skillz Holiday Programs for 5,000 youth in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, and Soweto. Grassroot Soccer also intends to train other organizations to implement the Skillz Holiday Program curriculum, which focuses on building basic life skills that help boys and girls adopt healthy behaviors and live risk-free, so more youth can be reached. Check out the Grassroot Soccer World Cup blog.
USAID Partners Meet U.S. Men’s Soccer Team
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Children with U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Donald Gips
Source: RZurba, USAID/SA |
With 1.4 million orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa alone, many partners are working to provide services to the nation’s youth. The U.S. men’s national soccer team hosted approximately 350 children and caregivers from various community partnership projects at an open practice session at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria West.
The team had a 90-minute training session followed by a meet and greet with the children to sign autographs and take photos. USAID partners – Child Welfare Tshwane, Winterveldt HIV/AIDS Project, and Nurturing Orphans of AIDS for Humanity – participated in the event and brought 130 orphans and vulnerable children to the stadium.
Brothers for Life Announced HIV/AIDS Ambassadors
Brothers for Life announced a phenomenal squad of national and international athletes to promote HIV prevention and take a stand against violence against women and children in South and Southern Africa. Brothers for Life is a campaign endorsed by the South African National AIDS Council and supported by USAID, UNICEF, Manchester United, and FC Barcelona. The squad began its work on June 1.
Brothers for Life ambassadors will discuss the risks of alcohol and unprotected sex, promote correct and consistent condom use, encourage men to participate in HIV counseling and testing, and promote partner reduction.
Dr. Jill Biden Visits Day Care Center in South Africa
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| Dr. Jill Biden (left) with Kami and kids at the Mapetla Day Care Centre in Soweto, South Africa. |
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Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, visited the Mapetla Day Care Centre in Soweto, on her arrival in South Africa yesterday. The center is supported by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID. Mapetla Day Care provides care and early education for 102 orphans and vulnerable children, including life skills development and preparation for primary school.
During her visit, Dr. Biden met the ecstatic children and staff. The centre’s principal Thabo Baloyi said “I’m very humbled to have met the U.S. second lady and appreciate the support from the American people through USAID.” The second lady also met Kami, the HIV-positive muppet from Takalani Sesame, South Africa’s version of Sesame Street. USAID’s education program had supported development of Takalani Sesame for South Africa. South Africa was the first country to adapt Sesame Street for radio broadcast to benefit children, teachers, families and caregivers. Together Dr. Biden and Kami distributed soccer balls to the children in celebration of South Africa hosting the first World Cup on the African continent.
Dr. Biden has been an English teacher for the past 29 years and also worked as a community activist with a special focus on literacy and support for military families programs. The Biden family is in South Africa for the official opening of the 2010 FIFA world cup and will also attend USA’s game against England in Rustenburg on Saturday, June 12, 2010.
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