South Africans take a stand against HIV/AIDS on Kaelo - Stories of Hope

Castrol Skillz Holiday Programme, which educates young children about HIV/Aids through sport, is one of the stories that will feature in the first episode of the new series of Kaelo-Stories of Hope which launches on 29 November at 12:30pm on SABC 1.

The first story shows how one woman's dedication and sense of community has brought about remarkable change in a rural Sekhukhune community in Limpopo. After witnessing the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS rip through her local community, Maserame Mashoke took a stand and formed the Mahlasedi Young Women's Organisation. “There were many problems in the villages; young girls getting pregnant and not going to school and not working. We sat down and discussed these problems. I knew we could do something,” says Mashoke.

With the help of local volunteers and funding support from MTN, the organisation has grown from strength to strength, providing home-based care and much needed food, life skills and support to orphans and vulnerable children from 12 villages.

The MTN SA Foundation invests in the organisation as part of it corporate social investment (CSI) strategy. “Maserame's passion and caring permeates the entire organisation. Her strength and determination in addressing the challenge of HIV/AIDS in her community is truly remarkable. We hope to be part of turning the tide of poverty on this community, with the long term goal of building a self-sustaining community,” says Eunice Maluleke, General Manager of the MTN SA Foundation.

Nyanyiso Lindi is thrilled to be a finalist in the ABSA Art L’Atelier competition. Watch Kaelo-Stories of Hope this Sunday to hear about his difficult journey to success.

Staying with the challenge of HIV/AIDS, the third story on Kaelo - Stories of Hope takes us to Soweto where we see how soccer and sport is being used to educate young teenagers about HIV/AIDS. Learners from Lekang and Tshebedisanong Primary Schools in Jabavu are part of the Castrol Skillz Holiday Programme. They have spent their school holidays participating in fun soccer activities and learning exercises facilitated by trained coaches. The initiative, which is sponsored by Castrol, feeds into the Football for Hope movement, a strategic alliance led by FIFA and streetfootballworld.

In the second story on Kaelo - Stories of Hope we meet Nyanyiso Lindi, an emerging young artist. See how Nyanyiso's life changed forever when he was nominated for the ABSA Art L'Atelier Award. The national competition, funded by Absa, gives talented local artists between the ages of 21 and 35 a chance to showcase their talent and artistic flair. With Nyanyiso having made it through to the top ten, watch Kaelo - Stories of Hope to see if he wins the competition and the chance to jet off to Paris and rub shoulders with other world-renowned artists.

Tune into Kaelo - Stories of Hope, SABC 1 every Sunday at 12h30.