A new joint effort by the government of Botswana and UNICEF, known as Wise Up, is raising awareness of the risks of HIV/AIDS among Botswana’s youth. The program uses theater performances to spread its message, and has a lasting impact, including upon the performers themselves.
Young people in Botswana often face a frustrating future. With youth unemployment over 40%, teens and young adults are often unable to find work, and may turn to alcohol, drugs, and risky sexual behavior, possibly leading to HIV infection.
Wise Up initially began as an HIV awareness mobile phone message and social media campaign, but founders quickly realized they needed to work through multiple channels.
Today Wise Up conducts workshops for youth theater groups to encourage them improve their drama skills and explore topics faced by Botswana’s young people, especially HIV/AIDS. At the end of each workshop drama groups perform a 20-minute play for community members.
Wise Up’s founders hope to be able to tackle controversial issues in a productive way that leads to lasting behavioral change. According to UNICEF, one of the keys to Wise Up’s success is that plays are produced by local theater groups in local languages for local audiences.
In this way, says Wise Up facilitator Mpho Rabotsima, topics explored are relevant to individual audience members, but the nature of theater performance allows them the distance and freedom to examine the issues more objectively.
Wise Up’s drama training has impacted the performers themselves, in addition to their audiences. Many young performers have faced the same kinds of challenges they act out in their plays.
Tumisang Tsheko, a 20-year-old performer, has used her time in a Wise Up drama group to help her come to terms with her own life experience. Raped as a teenager, Tumisang found herself unable to finish her education and find a job.
“Before this training I was angry- I was hopeless about my life,” she says. “But by coming here, it showed me that… I can take action and be responsible.” She says she would like to spread the message that “Life doesn’t end where the problem is.”
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Written by Carla Drumhiller Smith