Khuluma
Khuluma is a mobile phone support group initiative aimed at addressing the mental health and wellbeing needs of HIV positive adolescents in South Africa.
Khuluma
Khuluma is a mobile phone support group initiative aimed at addressing the mental health and wellbeing needs of HIV positive adolescents in South Africa.
The Issue
In South Africa over 15% of young women aged 15-24 are infected with HIV, and 5% of young men. Research shows that HIV positive adolescents are at increased risk of mental health problems, meaning they have higher rates of depression and anxiety, and often stop taking their medication.
Khuluma was launched in South Africa in 2013, to provide an integrated, cost-effective and scalable solution to the growing challenge of mental ill health among young people living with HIV.
The Approach
Khuluma is a social support program where participants are placed in support groups of 10-15 peers who share similar experiences. These support groups are enabled by our digital platform, where participants discuss – peer-to-peer, at any time via text message – a range of issues relating to their condition or needs for 3 months.
We have also developed a mentor program using a ‘train the trainer’ model, where our participants are trained to deliver peer-to-peer psychosocial support in digital support groups. Our mentors are also engaged in creative and participatory action research using different media, including analyzing our text messages, as well as using photography and animation to express how HIV has impacted their lives.
The Outcome
Evaluations of Khuluma have proven that our support groups have significant impact, with outcomes including:
- Increased self-reported medical adherence
- Increased perceived levels of social support
- Decreased internalised social stigma
- Increased knowledge and access to services
Main photo by Troy Khoza
More About this Project
In the global spotlight: Khuluma mentor delivers insightful presentation at International Workshop on HIV & Adolescence
In October 2023, Given Monama presented research conducted by Khuluma Mentors on the challenges faced by adolescents living with HIV in low-income settings in South Africa, and proposed participant-centred solutions to the HIV treatment gap.
Khuluma publication
Using Participatory, Peer-Led and Digital Methods to Deliver Psychosocial Support to Young People Living With HIV in South Africa
Understanding Challenges of Adolescents Living with HIV: Bringing Stakeholders Together
A recent Khuluma stakeholder meeting provided a platform for our adolescent mentors living with HIV in South Africa to share their experiences and provide insights that can inform and improve services
My Story, My Strength: Khuluma Mentors' Reflect on Tree of Life Session
Khuluma Mentors attended a Tree of Life session this November. They share their experience in this post.
#MyHappySpace with Khuluma Khulisani Mentors: World AIDS Day 2020
The Khuluma mentors are energetic, enthusiastic and driven- they are truly inspirational in the way they lead their lives. But what's the secret behind this positivity and motivation? Through #MyHappySpace campaign, we asked them these questions to celebrate their personal stories!
Messages from the Mentors: How to prevent social isolation while being socially distanced
Khuluma's adolescent mentors have worked with the foundation team to create a COVID-19 awareness campaign designed for young people in southern Africa.
Project Khuluma: A journey of discovery for the mentors
“It was a nice experience going to camp for the very first time. It gave me a chance to express myself and I was able to identify some of my strengths and weaknesses on the camp. The most memorable activity was the water canoeing race. Yes, I was afraid of drowning but I managed to get on the canoe and face my fear. I enjoyed helping others, and for them being able to see that other people can believe in me. There is always a shoulder to cry on when together. Being away from home was pretty nice. If another mentor was considering going on camp, I would tell them to go out and discover the true person in you and to have fun!”
Spaces of Care
These ideas formed a proposal we called ‘Spaces of Care’. Adolescents living with HIV in urban South Africa rely on a multitude of people, spaces, environments, objects for their care and wellness. Taking a systems and design thinking approach, thinking beyond conventional medical conceptions of healthcare, we are framing all these relationships and interactions as spaces and systems of care.
Khuluma from the beginning
It was Spring 2013 when I first went to Pretoria, South Africa. I was working alongside the SHM Foundation Director and co-founder of Khuluma, Anna Kydd, to set up Khuluma support groups for adolescents living with HIV in South Africa. At first it seemed like a daunting task.
Khuluma Khulisani Mentor Program
“You can’t just sit back and relax and expect things to happen. Who is it that is going to make those things happen while you are relaxing? We, as young children, need to start preparing the changes we want to see in this world because everything is in our hands.” – Khuluma Mentor
Khuluma: The Film
The SHM Foundation and Filmpark have collaborated to make a 6-minute documentary, showing how difficult it is for a young adult to discover that they are HIV positive, how they cope with stigma and what their aspirations are for the future.Contact Us
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