Youth living and working on the streets developed songs, skits, and messages about HIV/AIDS, sexual abuse, and children's rights in Portuguese and Shangani. The audio was produced into a series of audio programmes that were distributed to community radio stations for broadcast, and would also be used to interact with youth groups. A corresponding activity book in Portuguese is being used in literacy programmes.

The activity was undertaken as a follow-up to the Stepping Stones programme being used by GOAL to develop knowledge and skills among the street youth. A room in the GOAL office was turned into a studio for the week, and all recording was done on site. "The creativity of the youth was clear, with the touching, humourous and complex storylines that were created to talk about the issues."

As a follow-up project, in August 2004 a number of well-known local musicians worked with some of the participants to write a series of songs together. The songs are to be performed at a cultural event with CMFD doing a live recording of the music. It is hoped that support will be attracted to reproduce the CDs, which can be sold as an income generating activity for the youth, and the vulnerable children programme that assists them.

To download audio and activity book, visit the CMFD website

Youth, HIV/AIDS, Rights.