Partner School Project is becoming a great success story

The Partner School Project started in 2008 and to date 25 schools are involved, eleven in South Africa, twelve in Sweden, one in England and one in Namibia. This project is a unique link which has been formed between South Africa, Namibia, Sweden and England the purpose is to provide a platform for cross-pollination of skills, ideas, knowledge, information among learners and educators of the participating schools. The interaction between the participants is on individual basis as well as on educational level. This project is in line with Star For Life objective of building the self esteem among young people as the tool in addressing the HIV and AIDS.

There has been quite number of international schools that have visited their sister schools in South Africa, and this has been life learning experience for all the participating schools and the schools in South Africa are also working on visiting their sister schools abroad.

The learners and educators are communicating through Skype, email and mail.

Students from Sundsgymnasiet Vellinge, Sweden during the visit at Cwakeme High school in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa



Student from ProCivitas on their visit to Bukimvelo High School, in Hlabisa, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Ms Hlengiwe Msimango of who is in charge of the project at Siphosabadletshe High school, sees this as an opportunity for learners to share cultural ideas and information about different countries, and this is an important step in understanding who they are. “We are very excited about this project, and our learners in particular they make everything possible to be part of this project and it’s a lifelong experience for all of us’

Mr. Bonginkosi Zondo (bonginkosi@starforlife.org), the head of this project is very much encouraged by the level of participation of all schools involved.

Issued by Simingaye Zulu, Simingaye@starforlife.org

Visit by Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal

Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Minister of Health for KwaZulu-Natal, showed his support for the Star for Life programme during a drop-in visit on the 12th February. The minister met with Directors of Star For Life, Mr Pierre Delvaux, Mr Siphile Mdaka and Ms Khosi Jiyane (Programme Manager) to learn more about the programme.

From the left: Ms Khosi Jiyane, Dr Sandile Buthelezi, Mr Siphile Mdaka, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Mr Pierre Delvaux, and adviser to the MEC

Since Star for Life is operating in a high- HIV/AIDS prevalence area, the programme has risen in eminence within the department of Health and has become an important intervention in the region; hence the drop-in visit of the minister.
Dr Dhlomo was updated on the progress of Star for Life and briefed on the progress and results so far.