Star School Project

The Star School Project uses learner workshops (LW) to motivate learners to become mentally strong and make good decisions throughout their lives. The programme is designed to inspire students to dream and have hope for the future, as well as strengthen their self-confidence and self-image. The programme also intends to give students the skills and knowledge to:

• understand the consequences of unsafe sex;
• create behavioural patterns in which each individual takes full responsibility not to have unsafe sex; and
• create a new positive identity under the theme: AIDS-free - that's me.

Over a three-year period, the Star School programme holds six workshops for students with the main purpose of creating motivation and inspiration that will lead to healthy decisions and a healthy life in school, at home, and for the future. The workshops have the following themes:

• First year: LW1 - Dreams can be fulfilled
• First year: LW2 - The power of thoughts
• Second year: LW3 - Journey to success
• Second year: LW4 - The power of knowledge (of HIV and AIDS)
• Third year: LW5 - Journey to self
• Third year: LW6 - Shine on!

In addition to these workshops, Star School activities are incorporated into learners' regular school routine on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, depending on the activity. They can be divided into different areas such as:

• formal procedures;
• education;
• pleasure;
• prevention programme;
• development talks; and
• other activities

HIV/AIDS, Youth, Education

The Star School Project in South Africa is registered under the Jobs AIDS Conservation (JAC) Initiative Star School Project funded by the Thanda Foundation. It was one of the first programmes implemented by the JAC Initiative. The project, which was piloted in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, has since expanded to Namibia, and will soon be launched in Durban through a partnership with Volvo of Sweden.