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Babiza's Story/Indaba Ka Babiza - A UNESCO/HIVAN publication
Judith King. HIVAN Media Office.
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As the effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our country strip away the physical and emotional structures of families and neighbourhoods, we find children, single or in groups, striving to maintain stable and safe households.
Because children are both highly sensitive to and resourceful in the face of these issues, their ideas, insights, talents and responses are vital to a greater understanding of how the epidemic infiltrates and undermines families and communities. Their views make us laugh, cry, angry, desperate, but even in the worst conditions, they can be ?– and can make others ?– happy. Adults hardly ever realise how much children see, hear and know. We usually presume that we know the answers because we are older, but children are well able to assess situations and make practical plans to improve their own lives. We all need to hear the wisdom of children.
Babiza?’s Story / Indaba ka Babiza was created as part of a participatory research programme evoking and amplifying the voices of children as they describe a range of experiences around HIV and AIDS - some being directly affected, and others observing its impact from different angles. It was the first in a series entitled ?“By Children for Children through Books?”, inspired by the Convention of the Rights of the Child. Published in November 2004, this 34-page, illustrated booklet relays 10-year-old Siphelele Ndlovu?’s personal account of his encounter with the epidemic.
His authorship was facilitated by HIVAN associate Jill Kruger, who is the South African Director of the UNESCO-MOST ?“Growing Up in Cities?” (GUIC) project. The dual-language (isiZulu and English) book is the result of her partnership with MiET (Media in Education Technology), the Mariannhill branch of Street-Wise and the Sinikithemba Care Centre at Durban?’s McCord Hospital, and was funded by UNESCO and the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.
Youth responses to the book have been very positive. Jill Kruger notes that there is deep interest in this personal story, not only because of the parallel English and IsiZulu texts, but because Babiza has invested his narrative with personal commitment, bravery of spirit, charm and poignancy.
One young reviewer has said:
It?’s a gripping story of a young boy?’s life that is a sad reality and it opened my eyes to see how many things I take for granted on a daily basis. ?… I?’m sure this is a great way to get a response from kids in a similar situation to open up and air their views. ?… even little things in life can motivate children ?… never giving up has a positive effect on kids ?… Nhlanhla Shazi (18) ?– reviewer for ChildrenFirst Vol. 9, No. 59, Jan/Feb 2005.
Copies of the book are being distributed to certain poorly-resourced institutions at no charge or at a discounted price to needy organisations. The remainder of the print-run will be sold at R20-00 per copy, with these funds being recommitted to the production of further booklets in the series. Further information and assistance with order placement can be obtained by e-mailing [email protected], or by telephone on (031) 260 3334. |
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