Caregivers in the Cape Town community of Nyanga have completed an innovative course intended to help them support children in their preteen years and lower the rate of teenage pregnancy.
The first group of 20 adults graduated from Families Matter - a programme aimed at helping parents and caregivers to communicate with their children about sex and sexuality.
"The short-term goal is to improve communication between caregiver and child. In the long term we'd like to see a delay in the sexual debut of adolescents and lower HIV transmission rates," said Sue-Ann Meehan, who heads the project for the Desmond Tutu TB Centre, at Stellenbosch University.
Canvassers went door to door to encourage people to sign up for the course.
From young mothers to grandparents, caregivers of children aged nine to 12 participate in the course, which lasts five weeks.
This weekend the first group received their certificates.
Participant Patrick Tindzi said he would encourage more men to attend the course.
"I've learnt so much through this programme. In my day parents didn't speak to us about sex. I've now realised how important it is to talk to our children," said Tindzi.
Course facilitator Prosper Dlodlo said communication between the generations was even more critical today because of the intense pressures faced by youngsters.
"Children need help to cope with risks such as drug and alcohol abuse. It's hard to be a parent in this environment," he said.
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