On November 2nd, 2007 Kick 4 Life held the next stage of the ‘Vodacom Test Your Team’ campaign in Mohale’s Hoek, Lesotho. K4L partnered with Clinton Foundation, Baylor Children’s Clinic, Lesotho Football Association and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to deliver the event.
Fifteen secondary schools from the MH district sent delegations to the racecourse in Mohale’s Hoek for a day of football, HIV education and testing. In addition, the ‘Vodacom Test Your Team’ event included a health day for under five year old children and mothers at Mohale’s Hoek Hospital, where attendees were screened for HIV, TB, and malnutrition. Over 500 people were tested for HIV at the event. Those who tested positive were immediately referred to the Katlehong ARV clinic for evaluation and/or treatment.
More than 500 youth also took part in Kick 4 Life’s HIV/AIDS educational activities, which teach youth about HIV transmission, pathology, and stigma in an interactive and engaging way. Throughout the day, the participants rotated between football matches, HIV/AIDS education, and testing—the football and HIV/AIDS activities successfully created an atmosphere of ‘positive peer pressure,’ and encouraged the kids to test en masse.
Prince Harry and Prince Seesio of Lesotho also attended the event. They toured the site, observed a Kick 4 Life educational activity, and watched an HIV testing demonstration. Prince Seeiso also spoke to the media about the importance of HIV testing and knowing one’s status.
The event was generously sponsored by Vodacom Lesotho, Vodafone Foundation, Unicef, and Irish Aid.
