“INTRODUCING: JODI RAMSAY”

Jodi Ramsay has been playing a central role in the success of HIV&Me since joining the organization as Program Manager in 2008. We managed to sneak a few minutes into her hectic schedule to ask her about her experiences and plans. 2010 looks to be a busy year for HIV&Me, with a number of new corporate partners helping us reach ever more schools across South Africa.

How and when did you first start working with HIV education, and HIV&Me specifically?
I started working for HIV&Me in May 2008. I was very fortunate to have been introduced to Regency Foundation Networx, as this project was exactly what I was looking for. I have a background in training & development as a facilitator, project manager and program developer. I was looking for a worthwhile cause to sink my teeth into - HIV & AIDs education is exactly that!

How has HIV&Me developed over the past few years, and what have you learned personally?
Our delivery model is now a more personalized dialogue with member schools. At the start we took educators off-site and ran the training in large groups, but since 2008 we run the training at each member school, and work with smaller groups of about 4 – 10 educators per school. This gives the educators a greater opportunity to tell their stories and to be heard, and it gives

HIV&Me deeper insight into key challenges prevalent at each school (e.g. teenage pregnancy, rape, absenteeism). This model also enables HIV&Me to better support educators and monitor progress during lesson implementation.

On a personal level, I have learned that we have no choice but to persevere, despite the obstacles, to further the understanding of HIV & AIDS. There are so many joyous stories, so many revelations that educators and learners have as a result of our program. I am very lucky to be involved in something so meaningful, where the bottom line is often the difference between having a future or not – it is literally a matter of life or death.

What are some of your hopes and ambitions for HIV&Me in 2010 and beyond?
My hope is to secure sufficient funding to develop the program even further and set up regional offices in the various provinces; this will allow us to enhance our impact in schools throughout South Africa and to work more closely with government agencies on a provincial and local level.

What makes HIV&Me special?
Everyone that works with the HIV&Me project is committed to what we do. My colleagues go the extra mile and keep the project fun and uplifting, this helps motivate schools to be part of the program. I feel that HIV&Me is honest and there is integrity within the team.

The model itself is built on a sustainability platform – the lessons are integrated into the school curriculum and educators are equipped to deliver the lessons. This means that the impact of the program can extend far beyond the initial involvement of the HIV&Me team, as teachers can provide the training to subsequent year groups and also disseminate this information within the community.

We strive to develop a consciousness at school level for educators and learners to share knowledge, skills and insight into HIV&AIDS management and prevention. We have received very positive feedback from schools, and it is encouraging to know that they appreciate what we are all doing together.

Would you like to share any thoughts on how HIV&AIDS is being handled by government, and the potential of partnerships between companies, NGOs and government in addressing HIV&AIDS?
We have passed the age of government instituted HIV&AIDS denialism, which we must recognize as a step in the right direction, but we need a clear message from government and community leaders to set an example of responsible decision making in relation to sexual activity.

We live in a very challenging society and we need to have a South African consciousness, irrespective of whether we are personally affected by HIV&AIDS. The country is suffering, so partnerships between private companies, NGOs and government are essential. These partnerships should be based on sustainable development and empowerment of people affected by HIV&AIDS. NGOs, government and private companies must work together to find the right road map, supported by clear messaging that reaches the people. There is so much being done in the field of HIV&AIDS, yet every day we meet educators who know very little about the virus. This is not simply due to stigma - we find that educators are often eager to gain this knowledge, it's just that nobody has spoken to them, or that HIV awareness campaigns to which they may have been exposed were not supported by deeper educational initiatives.