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# VISION STATEMENT

The Pulse aims to nurture the growth of young people in South Africa by
creating an awareness of actions and respect, empowering them to make
positive changes. To equip them with the ability to make well informed
and independent choices in their lives as they grow. To liberate through
information, eventually changing attitudes and behaviours to promote
healthy living.

AIDS : THE FACTS

-   10% of all new infections worldwide occur in South Africa

-   South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS
    in the world

-   South Africa has a HIV/AIDS prevalence of 20% - in some regions over
    50%

-   One million children will be made orphaned by AIDS in South Africa
    by 2005

-   The age of infection and death is predominantly between the ages of
    15 and 25 years

-   400,000 men, women and children die every year from AIDS related
    diseases. This figure continues to increase

-   AIDS is a complex issue, fuelled by the [myths]{.underline} that:

    -   It is a White lie to continue the oppression of black people and
        impede their reproduction

    -   Having sex with a virgin, even a child will cure AIDS

    -   AIDS doesn't exist

    -   AIDS is a woman's disease

    -   You can't get AIDS the first time you have sex

    -   AIDS can be cured by having sex with a witchdoctor (Sangoma)

Project Overview

'The Pulse' is an educational CD-ROM aimed at 10 to 13 yr old South
African learners for use in the 'Life Skills' segment of the primary
school syllabus. The CD proposes to discuss issues surrounding growing
up, sex, love, HIV/AIDS and attitudes and behaviours. The format of the
CD-ROM enables this age group to learn interactively amongst their
peers, relieving the pressures and often ineffective methods of
classroom teaching in this area.

**The CD-Rom aims to :**

-   Compliment the HIV/AIDS and Sexuality section of the Life
    Orientation programme within the National Curriculum

-   Captivate the attention of the young users through its interactive
    format as a CD-ROM and its entertaining, sensitive and culturally
    relevant style of approach

-   Develop an awareness and competence in Information Communication
    Technology (ICT)

-   Aid the teacher in completing the targets of this section of the
    curriculum by using the CD as a discussion point for lessons. The
    package will also include a supportive teacher's guide and follow-
    up lesson plans to conduct

-   Encourage open discussions amongst the small groups of users and
    beyond

-   Give positive messages about sexuality, self-respect and HIV/AIDS

-   Offer positive action advice on the issues discussed

-   Encourage independent learning

The information is presented within cartoon animated fictional stories
involving four South African children which allows the exploration of
more sensitive, personal and emotional issues as well as factual. The
learners use these stories to navigate their way through the learning
programme, having the opportunity to stop and start the stories to find
more facts about a subject, discuss the issues raised or play some
interactive learning games. An 'exam' style assignment at the end of
each learning section allows the teacher to keep a record of the pupils'
progress and monitor what information is absorbed.

**What can 'The Pulse' offer that is different?**

'The Pulse' will extend the opportunities and resources provided in
Western countries to South Africa in an attempt to bridge the digital
divide and offer an alternative to HIV/AIDS and sexuality education in
Primary schools. ICTs are increasingly heralding more dimensions to
education which has proved to be an effective tool especially for young
people as we witness the birth of the new genre, interactive
'edu-tainment'. The virtual classroom, on-line lessons, resources and
support for teachers and students has undoubtedly improved the quality
of education in more developed countries. The potential of this for
developing countries is also enormous, but hindered by accessibility and
telecommunications infrastructures. The 'Web-CD' has become one solution
to some of these problems, enabling schools without Internet access to
interactive new media for education. Projects including SchoolNetSA,
ComputerAid, Computers for Africa and the South African government are
distributing computers to schools nation wide at an increasing rate and
the common use of the educational CD-ROM is certainly becoming a
reality.

**'The Pulse' will be offering:**

-   A unique dimension to education for South African primary school
    children through interactive media.

-   A new innovative teaching tool that accompanies the national
    curriculum life skills programme.

-   A CD-ROM product in which the content and style is directed at young
    South Africans taking into consideration their culture.

-   Material that openly and honestly deals with the issues surrounding
    HIV/AIDS and sexuality with cultural references in an entertaining
    and sensitive context.

-   The growth of a network in South Africa concerning ICT development
    in education, between Government, NGOs, private sector, schools and
    individuals.

-   The first opportunity for many schools to make use of their computer
    equipment as an interactive medium for education.

-   A different approach to HIV/AIDS awareness.

'THE PULSE'

# STORY CONTENT STRUCTURE

STORY 1: 'GROWING UP' (I)

> \- Physical Changes to the body

-   Girls and boys

STORY 2 : 'GROWING UP' (II)

> \- Growing up as a whole person

-   Emotions

-   Sexual urges

-   Positive self-concept

STORY 3 : 'RELATIONSHIPS'

-   Peer pressure

-   Making decisions / Assertiveness

-   Boyfriends and Girlfriends / Dating

-   Love vs Infatuation

STORY 4 : 'SEX'

-   Conception, pregnancy and birth

-   Responsibilities, respect and refusal

-   Risks / Contraception

STORY 5 : 'ABUSE'

-   Boundaries of closeness

-   Saying 'No'

-   Rape and sexual harassment ( emotional / physical)

-   How to handle the problem

STORY 6 : 'HIV/AIDS'

-   What HIV does to the body

-   Transmission

-   Prevention

-   Living with (someone who has) HIV

-   Losing someone & talking about HIV/AIDS