28 May 2014 – Eden District Municipality, in partnership with George Municipality, facilitated a HIV and Substance abuse Peer Educator Training Program with students from the Uniondale- and George areas. The programme commenced in February 2014 and ended in May 2014. An official certificate handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, 28 May 2014, during which young people were thanked for their dedication, perseverance and sacrifices made in order for the program to be a success.
Students transferred knowledge to a minimum of five (5) people per week, enduring heavy rain and wind. It is this commitment to the program that made it a success.
The Department of Labour also engaged with students during lectures on items including the labour market, preparing your Curriculum Vitae and marketing yourself.
Ms Vidonia George, Manager Social Services: George Municipality, thanked the Peer Educators for their input and reminded them that, without their commitment, the visible change within the communities would not have been impossible. She also congratulated Mr Jason Jansen for his appointment as Peer Educator at Parkdene High School.
During his keynote address, Mr Clive Africa, Eden Executive Manager – Management Services, asked participants to rise and sing “Lord we bless Your name.”
“You are going to be amazed at the number of people you have touched,” Clive Africa said. “If you can change your mind, you can change your life.”
Mr Africa urged the Peer Educators to recreate themselves like the legendary Phoenix. “There is a difference between knowing and believing,” he said. “We must advance to a point of believing – and creating your own truth.”
