Talk to Me

The campaign uses entertaining communication tools to demonstrate to families how to speak effectively with children about preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Using the familiar and fun muppet character Kami and friends, the campaign communicates messages to viewers, listeners, and readers, and is based on the conviction that young children are capable of understanding the disease and its consequences. Kami plays a specific role in telling preschool children from age three up about HIV/AIDS, how to stay safe, and why it is important to accept and care for those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

The campaign uses real-life situations and conversations in several South African languages to show parents what type of words, tone, and settings to use when talking to children about HIV/AIDS. The strategy of drawing on concrete experiences is reflected in the fact that all guests on the television show are parents or grandparents. This approach is designed to help people of all ages develop the skills to talk about HIV/AIDS in a constructive and accurate way, as well as learn how to cope with HIV/AIDS in everyday life.

The campaign draws on well-known personalities, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Florence Masebe from "Muvhango", a local Venda soap opera; Vinette Ebrahim from 7de Laan, a local Afrikaans soap opera; Hlomla Dandala, formerly of "All You Need Is Love", a TV game show; Camilla Waldman from "Generations", a local soap opera; and Fezile Mpela from "Ready Steady Cook", who appears on the Talk to Me television special. Guests and presenters endorse the need to talk to children about social and health issues in the following ways:

• promoting communication between parents, caregivers, and children;
• increasing knowledge about HIV/AIDS, which will break down fear, discrimination, and stigma;
• helping children cope with and protect themselves against HIV/AIDS.

The campaign has a series of radio programmes in five languages. These programmes contain real conversations between parents and their children, providing a practical guide to parents and caregivers by portraying the courage, hope, and struggles of South African families living with HIV/AIDS. These shows are followed by radio talkback opportunities with the public. Newspapers and educational supplements support the campaign. A "Talk to Me" booklet has also been produced (click here for a summary). The leaflet outlines useful tips for caregivers, who may be a parent, grandparent, older sibling, guardian or educator. The guide contains advice on how to start a conversation about HIV/AIDS with children of different ages.

Children, HIV/AIDS.

The organisers believe that opening communication about HIV/AIDS will enable parents to protect and support their children in facing HIV/AIDS consequences and challenges. “At the core of the 'talk to me' initiative is the belief that education can be enormously helpful to individuals and communities affected by HIV/AIDS. Children need support in developing coping mechanisms to deal with illness, tragedy and death. They also need basic information on HIV transmission and standard precautions.”

Kami was appointed UNICEF's global Champion for Children in 2003 and appeals to adults to communicate with children about HIV/AIDS.