|
|
|
|
|
 Bata Futura Spreads Awareness about Aids
Bata Futura’s Loskop factory. | Originally, Bata Futura’s (South Africa) focus was to educate the Loskop factory workers on the HIV/Aids virus however, due to repeated requests from the local community they have begun holding lectures for the community, particularly school children. |
Beverly Phillips, Personal assistant to the Managing Director, Bata Futura along with two HIV/Aids counselors (who are both HIV/Aids positive), Gladys Mapele and Simon Gasela, visit Loskop once a month. During their visit to the factory, they meet with staff and attempt to educate them on the HIV/Aids virus. | 
Gladys (HIV/Aids counselor) and Beverly Phillips having a discussion with Loskop staff prior to them undergoing HIV/Aids testing.
|
The young dancers welcoming the HIV/Aids team to Loskop. | The counselors discuss the way in which the disease is spread, how to live with it and how to treat people who have tested positive. They encourage those infected to “Learn to Live with Aids and Not Die with it”, to encourage healthy living. |
| These counselors also visit the community and assist when requested, to obtain medication for those infected. These visits have had an excellent response from the community as the Mayor and the community Chiefs have now become very involved in Bata Futura’s education program. | 
The Loskop mayor lighting a candle in support of “enlightening the Loskop community”. |
Simon (HIV/Aids counselor) addressing the 12-19 year old children. | Educational programs are also directed to younger children (6-12 years) about how to differentiate between affection and sexual abuse and whom to report any incident to. The older age groups of students (12-19 years old) are taught about sexually transmitted diseases, contraception, rape and sexual abuse. |
| “With the adults (parents) we encourage them to learn about HIV/Aids and ask them to discuss this with their children. Unfortunately Zulu tradition has never encouraged “sex talk” between parents and children and this is proving to be a slow learning process.” Says Beverly Phillips. Bata Futura has now trained three members of the Loskop factory staff as qualified HIV/Aids counselors and they are available any time for the staff and the community. | 
Simon addressing parents and members of the community. |
|
|
|
