HIV/AIDS Institutional Co-Ordination Unit (HAICU)
AIDS Community Educators (ACEs)
Peer education programme
AIDS Community Educators (ACEs) are HAICU's student peer educators and mentors. ACEs work to create an AIDS-competent community in which people own the problem of HIV and AIDS and recognise that they have a vital contribution to make.
The ACEs are trained by HAICU and equipped with facilitation skills to transfer knowledge about, among other topics, the transmission of HIV; safe sexual behaviour; gender and sexuality issues related to HIV; the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine; and ways to access HIV testing and treatment at UCT.
The ACEs then conduct HIV-awareness workshops and work to create safe social spaces in which issues related to HIV can be discussed candidly and confidentially. Matters such as dispelling stigma, concurrent sexual relationships, gender issues and shedding light on risk-taking behaviours are dealt with on an on-going basis at public events and residence workshops during term-time.
During Orientation Week they interact with 'Freshers' through basic information workshops around the subject of HIV/AIDS and related issues, and also distribute HIV information which include learnings about correct condom use, risks associated with sexual activities, and where to get tested and receive counselling.
Workshops are also conducted for school learners in the Cape Metropole.
More information on ACEs on the HAICU website.
