Amanda Dlamini posts her first Students for Humanity blogpost about HIV testing

Wednesday, 1^st day of the month of December, in the year 2010; I went for an HIV test, something which I never had in mind, because I am a virgin.  They say if you are a virgin why bother testing but you know what they say; never say never.

Here  I was in a clinic in line to get  tested, I was so happy and proud that am doing this; and on the other  hand I was asking myself what it is that am actually doing.  One thing came in my mind: that HIV does not only infect a person by having unprotected sex, you can get it in many different ways. For an example when you are staying with a person who is a victim of this disease and they never open with you about their status then it‘s so easy for you to become its victim too, if blood was transferred somehow.

I was then called into the room, well I was scared, it felt like I was in a room where  people are killed – everyone came out looking scared. I felt like I had lost my mind, I was going crazy and asking God to be with me as I enter that scary room. When I got inside there was a fat lady and the skinny one – it was like I was in a judgement room – like a decision was being made that I was either going to hell or heaven. The lady kept asking me questions that  I had every answer  for and  the moment I told that lady that I am a virgin she looked at me and shook her head. She said, “You’re a virgin!” It’s like she didn’t believe me.  One of the questions  was;  “If you are a virgin, why are you here?”

I then told her it’s not about having unprotected sex. Then she said to me, “But then if you find out that you are HIV positive, and you say that you a virgin, what is it that that you are going to do?”  I told them that I would be shocked for that moment;  but will make sure that I will get treated  while I still have many and stronger soldiers in my body – it’s not like it’s the end of the world.

There are many people who are living with this disease and some of them live longer than those who are not HIV positive. People should accept the fact that this disease is out there, it’s a killer disease and it’s waiting for you to take that wrong step into having unprotected sex or any other kind of recklessness.  People should start taking this killer disease seriously and have one partner that loves them, a partner who will never kill you with this disease.

She then explained how the test goes and I got tested. I kept praying in my heart that I don’t have this disease in my blood. Yeah well, I tested and got the results back saying that I was healthy – just like a new born baby.

On the day I plan to take a step into breaking my virginity, I want to have safe sex with my partner; but first we should both know our status so we can protect each other.

Written by:  Amanda Nhlanhla Dlamini

Check Amanda’s video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8plyzRTmUA

Introducing Amanda – A Digital Native and Student for Humanity based in Joburg.

I am Amanda Nhlanhla Dlamini. I am 16 years old and am my mom’s first daughter and have two siblings – an older brother and a younger sister. I stay with my grandparents in Thembisa (a township on the East Rand of Johannesburg) at Mayibuye Section. I am a student at Boitumelong Secondary school, in grade 11f. This is my first year attending there. I am a teenager who likes exploring.  I started using a computer at the age of 13 when I was in grade eight. Then when I stayed with my mom, every penny I got I would save for internet. When I look at my future I see a good life ahead of me.  I’d like to study journalism, photography or music production.

When the studying seems too hard
And you don’t have the courage
nor the strength to continue
But you still keep on studying
though you can not see your success

And the stress is all over you
You can no longer concerntrate
But you keep on going straight ahead
Somehow you will make it through

When it feels like you are weak
And can not study no more,
And you feel like you are going to run out breathe
Stand up and say,”I believe!”

When your future is on your shoulders
And the walls are on way
You leap and make it over
Through all this you keep the faith

Now is the time to look ahead
And think of the future you can have
And walk your way towards it

And when pressure tries to keep you down
You keep up head
And never lose sight

And when your hope is dying
Stand up and say,”I believe!”

Written by: Sbuja

They took my personality
They took my hope and left me to despair
They took my strength and left me helpless
and powerless
They took everything and left me with nothing
They thought I was blind.

I went from hero to zero
without my power I really despaired
I was in the dark for a long time
I almost believed that I was blind
but something kept me going
Although they that I was blind.

God, my almighty Lord, brought light in my life
He raised me high above all odd
When the time is right I will take my revenge
I will bring back what is mine
It was then when I started to believe that
Life is a journey to the bright future
Life is a surprise and to live life like the is no tomorrow
I can forgive them all but it will take my life to forget what they did
They thought I was blind
to their surprise,

I was actually blinking.

by Mfundo Nomnabo

Her sharing with such a beautiful story about her background was very inspiring to the group. We usually see the premier on T.V debating about social issues, often with ANC, and think “She’s fighting for power…”  And today we got the opportunity to see the leader through different eyes, and not through those of the media.

We learnt that being a leader takes enormous courage and perseverance. It was a very powerful message she delivered to the group.

It is unbelievable that an important figure like Premier Helen Zille would use up her time to come and visit a small group like Students for Humanity. Prioritising is an important characteristic of a leader and Premier Helen Zille surely knows how to. This was a once in a life time opportunity and we feel very privileged.

Written by: Busisiwe Mashele

I would prefer to commence with giving you all the positive factors that somehow developed the unique and courageous person I am. I would also like to outline the negative factors which I believe that have also played a major role in building my character. I will also mention the likes and dislike which you might find interesting.

Zoom in on your global map and you’ll find in Africa a well known sunny country called South Africa, further down you’ll find a big city called Cape Town. I live in a small region in Cape Town called Khayelitsha. Every month, week, or day is filled with entirely new experiences for mostly the young stars like me who love touring Khayelitsha.

Kindly allow me to take you on an imaginary tour around Khayelitsha. The first thing that forcefully grabs everyone‘s attention is the unity among the people of Khayelitsha. You’ll hear people screaming, laughing and some shouting for joy. Happiness is seen in every child’s face. Most parents may be single but I assure you they fully show their children love that even covers the role of an absent father. They are always helped by the whole community. A parent takes the neighbour‘s child as his or her own. The community churches also play a major role in sustaining the already existing unity. Sunday mornings are dedicated to teaching the children bible verses and the afternoons are for church that includes all ages. Schools, schools, schools, to me are just the most important places around, although I don’t really like school work, but true friends are made there. They keep you busy doing good things rather than sitting in the street planning some thinking about bad things.

The above are some things that keep us away from doing wrong things at a young age, but when we reach teenage stage there are huge changes taking place. The world appears as new and up for grabs. At that age you’ll see most of the teenagers starting to form small groups. In these groups they come up with all negative things that would make them more popular. Few of them join the groups because of being in need of money to sustain themselves. But most of the teenagers join because of peer pressure. Now you’ll find touring at night very different and scary. You’ll see big mobs running around trying to make the whole community small. But some of them do realise that this is just a waste of time although it is joyful because they become feared in the whole community and get a chance to even use guns, drive expensive cars and smoke all kinds of drugs just for them to feel high.

For some us who had managed or luckily escaped that kind of life, the new life is amazing every day. We live lives that the whole society prefers. We like playing soccer a lot and we often have little tournaments on Saturdays among our small local teams. We attend church every Sunday and go for bible studies on Thursdays. I personally like listening to African music and some hip-hop, but you’ll often find me listening to reggae because it some how connects me to a world which I do not know that is full of joy. Some of my friends like local music that they make themselves. They send good messages to the community and mostly to the lost youth. Every afternoon we attend a community group that bring good to the whole community. Our group is called DCYM (Delegate Children and Youth Movement). We help old people in our community with washing, groceries and painting. At school I attend good special projects like this Students for humanity project.

Believe it or not but life is really a journey to the bright future. That is my description of life from my experiences and with out them I would not be where I am today and I wouldn’t have made the decisions that I made during the process of living. Each and everyday is important in my life and I try by all means to make an effort to achieve something in my life. One wise man had once said to me, “Live life to the fullest and never put your problems aside for tomorrow because you will never know what the next day holds for you.. or something worse, what if tomorrow might never come for you? Would you like to live in regrets and sorrow for rest of your life? Or would you stand up for yourself and be a man? Think twice before you do anything”  Those words left me with something to think about for the rest of my life.

From my observation through out the years I found that people describe life according to their experiences in it. I have always believed that life is a journey nothing more, nothing less. We all have to walk through this path and we will meet obstacles, challenges and sometimes we have to climb up some mountains and get sweaty to achieve our goals and ambitions. Many give up in early stages of life because they are not so focused or they live under a polluted atmosphere, with negative people. To deal with death of a friend, classmate, boyfriend or girlfriend is not an easy task to live with in this universe we live in. Because those people are who we love and trust mostly in our childhood and teenage life because they understand us better than any adult.

Teenage life is very enjoyable, fun and the most risky stage of our lives. In our life-path I would compare it with a river. Many do not reach the other side of the river,  some drown on shore, without any action while others just choose to flow with it. This is a very crucial stage of our lives. Girls lose their virginity, get pregnant at a very early age while boys are involve in crime, drugs, violance and manymore. Both girls and boys get involved in relationships and that is the flow with a river. Just letting life flow with them. As I said many do not reach the other side of the river, that is, they do not get through thier teenage life clean, having goals in life or knowing what to do with their lives.

In life it is very challenging and difficult to get what one wants, but like I said before it is a journey to the bright future and we have to strive for our ambitions. As one author said, “Never give up. Never ever give up”. Let’s all go there and achieve those goals. With or without support we will succeed. This was meant to be and I have a strong belief that every one has a mission on Earth. Lets accomplish our missions. I believe in you. That you can.

A nations pride lies within its young girls and women. In order for a nation to prosper in all aspects, its young women need to be of high dignity and pride. It is of utter importance that a girl maintains her purity until marriage because that reflects the kind of person she is & her family’s upbringing.

This is what I have been told ever since I could remember & this is what I believed in. I respected myself and my body and did not engage in any uncalled for activities. I always participated in the famous Zulu Virginity testing ceremony and my parents prided themselves in me. I was Intombi nto(Virgin) and was proud of myself.

It was not until after the grade 10 school holidays that a catastrophe occurred.

He had always looked at me in an uncomfortable manner. His eyes told a story. A story of hurt and pain. I tried to warm up to him and let him know that he could talk to me if he ever needed someone to talk to. He was an awfully quiet matriculate and students said that not all was okay for him upstairs. I did not believe this. I always said he just needed someone to be his friend. Being the kind and loving person that I am, I took it upon myself to be that person for him.

During intervals I would try and stir up a conversation with him but I was always responded with a cold answer. “No”, “yes” is all I ever got out of him. But I continued trying anyway. Then one afternoon he came up to me. “There’s something I want to talk to you about. Meet me 9pm sharp near MaDlamini’s shop.” Naturally I agreed hoping that he had warmed up to and would tell me what his problem or problems were. I had been patient with him. Patience is one of the things my parents had told me to practice with people. “Patience my girl. Good things come to those that wait” my father had once said smoking his pipe. Little did I know that that night nothing close to good was coming nowhere near me.

I sneaked out the window because I knew there was no way my parents would let me out of the house at that time even if it was for helping a friend out. Now.. I wish I had.

I met him but he wasn’t his usual self. He smelt terrible. A mixture of alcohol and something more than just a cigarette. Then it all happened it all too fast. Out of nowhere three other guys appeared. I tried to fight them off but before I realized it, we were behind the bushes and not a sound could come out of my mouth. They raped me…….one by one. And just like that, they took away the most precious gift that I had, my virginity. Up to this moment I can still smell their alcoholic breathes on my skin. The smell made me want to puke.

I sneaked back into the house and literally scrubbed my skin off. I thought I could make their smell go away. I did not want a trace of them on my skin. I felt dirty……I was dirty. I cried all night. I lied the next morning. Said I had a terrible headache so my mum said I ought to stay at home.

Weeks went by and I became thinner and thinner. My grades dropped from A to D.

I felt suicidal. I never saw him at school again. Rumors said that he had left for Johannesburg with his friends who were well known criminals.

I thought that I could keep what happened a secret. I don’t know why I thought this way.

Two months later, I had missed my period for the second time. How was I going to explain this to my parents. I would rather die than disgrace my them. And that was the fate that I was going to follow. I took an overdose of tablets.

The rest they say is history. I woke up in hospital two months later. I had lost the baby. My rape baby. I explained everything to my parents and surprisingly they were understanding. They did not blame me. Said I should have told them. Now my rapists had gotten away with what they had done.

I got better and started being my old self again but my virginity was gone. Taken away in a painful manner and by the wrong people. I would give anything to have it back again but since I never can, I told myself to abstain till marriage.

BY:ZIKHONA MPOTULO

As the kick off of an exciting cultural exchange we’ll be doing with the South African StudentsforHumanity, we got together in Hilversum.

“What would you like to know from a south african youth in Capetown?”

Well…. Erhmmm…. What can I say?…

A bit hesitant at first, inspiration started flowing pretty soon: “What do you do in your spare time?”, “What kind of music do you listen to?”, “Do you play sports?”, but also deeper questions like “Are you religious?” and “How do you see your future?” A sound basis for a real cultural exchange. Questions that we hope to find answers on, trying to understand the african way of living.

And there was great enthusiasm to answer the questions that the <a href=” http://studentsforhumanity.com/about/”>Khayelistha group</a> is interested in. Linde and Darleen will try to explain how the Dutch look at same sex relationships, Anne will write about going out, Lucienne hopes to formulate her biggest dream (and maybe those of others too), Bart will tell you about Dutch traditions and Pim about the role of religion in the Netherlands… but that’s just a start!

We will have another meeting soon, in which we’ll try to answer some of your questions but also think of new ones to ask. We are very curious about the differences between the Dutch and African culture, and the question why these differences exist. New information will be added to the site after each meeting. Answers to the above questions will be posted in this blog, together with pictures to give you a better image of our life in the Netherlands.

So… yes, we have started… and are looking forward to get to know you better!

Refugee VI football club is an initiative by Ephraim Ntlamo 17 years old. Refugee VI is a youth soccer club based in Cape Town, South Africa.  It was formed in September 2009. The purpose of this team is not only to kick some balls around.  According to the United Nations Refugee Agency [UNHCR] South Africa hosts some 40,00 refugees and over 100,000 asylum -seekers. A large part of these refugees are unaccompanied children between the age group of 15 and 18 who fled their countries on their own without any friend nor family member. After the xenophobic attacks in May 2008  the relationship between foreign nationals from other African states  and South African local communities became fragile.  As a refugee child my self I thought it would be necessary to form a sport institution that will can be part of the solution towards the difficult integration process and that will also give refugee children something  to keep themselves busy thinking positively about life, bring back the the fun, friendship, self esteem and confidence which I learned we  refugee children miss badly.

The real issue that drove me to spend most of my time getting this team together was the fact that refugee children face different sorts of discrimination. This discrimination becomes mostly visible in schools or in public transport. I felt that there is a need of communication between and mutual understanding of refugees and the local communities. The challenge is how can this be achieved? In my opinion, this difficult integration process can easily be achieved through sport. So the idea of Refugee VI is that we play soccer while spreading the message and the awareness about refugees. Like, where do we come from? What made us flee our country?  How did we make it to South Africa? The idea is for us refugees not to isolate ourselves from the locals but to have a good rewarding relationship that benefits the community and the country as a whole. We have a few South African players in the team.

Why the name Refugee VI?  Refugees  in South Africa come mostly from the following  6 nations: Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Angola, Uganda, Somalia, and D.R.C

Lastly and most importantly Refugee VI serves to persuade other refugee children to consider education as the way to success or a better life. We meet after training and discuss issues like HIV/AIDS  and other sexually transmitted diseases. So far the idea has worked very well, some of the boys gave up their  jobs in the vine yard farms and look forward to brighten thier futures by attending school next year

IF WE CAN PLAY SOCCER TOGETHER ,WE CAN STOP XENOPHOBIA TOGETHER !

My vision for our group, Students for Humanity, is that we become active members in our communities. That we bring about positive change in people’s lives. And I take it upon myself to go out there into our communities and find out what exactly are some of the things that we can help them out with. I know of many struggling, community-based organizations that I feel we can assist.  I am also willing to go out there and find people who are willing to donate to or sponsor those organizations, so that they can continue with the good work that they are doing.
– MCYB

We, as students for humanity, want to do something important for our communities. So I want to contribute on the orphanage side, because I like working with people and children. To me, helping young people and working with young minds is what I enjoy most. I will also help finding sponsors.
– mfundo

I would like to be responsible for the compilation of short stories. I think that it is important for us to express our creativity and not let our talents fade, I mean, it is very rare for one to see young people actually having a short stories book that they can call their own. We, as the students for humanity, should see this as an opportunity to inspire other young people out there to also write about things that they experience in their communities. We, the students for humanity should not only concentrate on writting short stories in the genre of fantacy but should also write about realistic things so that other people, especially young people, can relate to our stories.
– Nanzi

I want to volunteer for community organizations. I will give my full time in helping other people in the communities and each project that will be generated by Studentsforhummanity. I want to be part of the forward going and exciting movement to help others in need. I would like to interact with others.
-– sbuja

I would like to register Studentsforhumanity as an organisation for the youth so that we can be sponsored by the government which allows us to sponsor other non-governmental organisations in our communities.
I will dedicate my time to find more information on how to get registered as a youth group.
– yara

Something that I would like us to do for the community, we must try and teach the disadvantaged primary schools about computer skills the basic skills that could help them to get advantage in terms of computing world. Also to educate them about the basic leadership skills that would help them to become the leaders of the future generation. And we must try to find a way in  which we could convince young, immature but intelligent and beautiful teenagers to stay away from drugs and start doing positive things in life and make them part of the students for humanity family.
-– spha

I like to visit orphanages and give them the love that they need. I would like the students for humanity members to collect old toys, or anything that they can give  to children. I truly think that its pointless for someone to have things that he/she doesn’t need, stored in their homes while other people really need those things, they would make them happy. Anything that anyone can give is more then welcome. We should also try our best to make government sponsered orphanges to be noticable, by maybe going out there and asking for donation and anything that they are willing to sponser. We should all have love for the people and help them because “umntu ngumntu ngabantu”
– Ntombie

I would like to volunteer in sport activities during December holidays.
I will establish contact with the orphanage home that is close to where I live.
I would also like to volunteer with the leadership courses in Maths and Science.
– wonga

I would really love to be part and parcel of the group that will be visiting places like orphanages, pre-schools etc.
Designing is one of my hobbies, due to that I would like to be with the group that will design the students for humanity membership card, poster, T-SHIRT etc.
– bulana

I would like to responsible for all the podcast that we do. I would like to make sure that we get it well organized, that podcasts are posted in time and with a variety of topics. I would also love to get involved in marketing the project so that we can get sponsors and raise something, which will allow us to do something for the community. I would also like to be part of the students for humanity group that will offer free extra lessons of science and maths to township schools, as our school focuses on them. All and all I would like to be responsible for the growth of this project.
–- siphe

Firstly I would like to be the person who is in charge of the Student for Humanity theme song/s, I’m able to write lyrics and I’m crazy in love with music. Secondly I would like to be part of a team that will seek sponsorships at big companies. I would also like to design the Student for Humanity t-shirt.
– skhumbuzo

I would like to be a leader of a poetry section, and to be a leader of a short story section because I am a story teller. There is an organization in my community that helps children after school, it’s like aftercare, they can teach us how to knit because they can. I would like to publish my own short story in this Studentsforhumanity short story book.
– Mkhuseli

My commitment is to visit an orphanage home, where I can help with taking care of the children at the home. I would like to visit, help out and at the same time look and listening to what their challenges are, how things can be better. I would also love to help with getting and approaching potential sponsors for the homes that need help.
–- nosizwe

In my community there are many places that need to be helped out by the youth. The help is not needed in the form of money, but in the form of a helping hand. We need to show love to the community. What I would like to do in my coomunity is help out with the young kids and old people. I would like to show the young kids the opportunities that are there for them and teach them to value education, because in my community most of the kids dont value education and life. I would do this by opening a leadship programm in their schools. I would also like to help in an old age home with the cleaning and making sure that people are happy.
-– mlamli

I would like to be the leader of the “short stories book”, because I am so curious about other peoples thoughts and backgrounds, what its like to be a living human being for them? I would also be interested in other people’s experiences in life, what kind of challenges are peope facing, what obstacles are there? My goal is to allow people to write about her/his personal story, to tell us the challenges that s/he faced then and now. I can see that students for humanity can intervene and help here and there.
-– aphish

I would like to be a teacher in the studentsforhumanity project. I want to teach whatever is there to teach that would make a difference, because it is all about making a difference e.g. I would like to be part of the teaching in the leadership course, singing, dancing, reading and telling stories. I would also like to be a researcher for the this project, but I do not want to research all the time.
– yandisa

I will go to my church and ask them if there will be holiday clubs this holiday. If there will be any I will try to persuade them into letting us take part into helping the children who are young in the streets and teach them the way to life and how to set their goals.
-– Iran