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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System --------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 31 May 2005 Title: Board game to facilitate discussion on HIV --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- By Tumelo Modisane, tel: (012) 314-2404 Pietermaritzburg - Edendale resident Oupa Jackson was shocked when he saw his young son playing with a condom. When he confronted him about it, his son kept scratching his head and could not tell his father what it is used for. Jackson, a playwright, decided to design a board game, to make discussions about the topic easier for his family. "I wanted a way to discuss sexuality, condoms and HIV and AIDS - hence the idea of the board game," said Jackson. The board game called "Asiphile" was launched at Qanda Junior Primary School in the Vulindlela district in the Pietermaritzburg region. Asiphile, says Mr Jackson, is similar to Snakes and Ladders. To play, one needs a dice, and counters - tokens to move around the board. The player moves according to the games instructions. Some of the blocks have questions which the player has to answer while others have questions that warrant a group discussion. A friend, who happens to be a teacher, found Jackson playing the game with his three children. Impressed, she put in an order for her child and told him to take the idea further. A teacher at his child's school confirmed the need for a tool to enable parents and teachers to communicate easier about HIV and AIDS. Mr Jackson then approached the KwaZulu-Natal departments of education and health, seeking assistance to develop the board game by fleshing out the information on it. Other stakeholders who also helped develop the Asiphile board game include the Pharmaceutical Benefit Management (PBM) that played a major role regarding more information on the board game, and Rape Crisis and the AIDS Law Project. Mr Jackson says he felt the need to raise the issue of rape on the board game which took five years to develop. The HIV and AIDS unit of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has since agreed to provide 500 schools in the province with 20 board games each. The board game is designed for 10 year-olds and older children, however Jackson says he is looking to develop a similar game for children nine years old and younger. Now, the board game is in English, however, moves will be made to translate the game into the other South African languages. - BuaNews |
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