LekaGape

LoveLife, South Africa’s national HIV prevention program for youth, was launched in September 1999, by a consortium of leading South African public health organizations in partnership with a coalition of more than 100 locally-based youth-serving organizations, the South African government, major South African media groups and private foundations.

LoveLife combines a highly visible national multi-media campaign with countrywide adolescent friendly service development in government clinics, and a national network of outreach and support programs for youth.

LoveLife is a comprehensive, scientific approach to youth behavior change that implements, on an unprecedented scale, the international experience of the past 20 years - combining well-established public health techniques with innovative marketing approaches to promote sexual responsibility and healthy living to young people.

Key program elements of loveLife include:

• A sustained multi-media education and awareness campaign - including television, radio, outdoor media and print - educating young people about HIV and promoting dialogue about sexual health issues.
• The National Adolescent-Friendly Clinic Initiative, a major drive to establish adolescent health services in South Africa's 5 000 public clinics.
• A national network of 16 multi-purpose youth facilities, known as "Y-Centres", providing recreation and skills training, as well as sexual health education and care in non-clinical settings.
• A countrywide program of community-level outreach and support to young people led by a national volunteer corps of 18-25 year olds known as loveLife groundBREAKERS.
• A nationally accessible toll-free telephone helpline for young people providing specialized sexual health information, counseling and referrals averaging 60,000 calls per month.
• The loveLife Games, the largest school sports competition in South Africa, promoting healthy living to young people.

LoveLife stands for

• Delayed initiation of sexual activity among teenagers,
• reduction of sexual partners among already sexually active teenagers and
• condom usage

Within the context of

• More open communication about sex
• Sexuality and gender relations based on informed choice
• Shared responsibility
• Healthy lifestyle and aspirations

For more information visit: www.lovelife.org.za