There has been s significant drop in number of drug abuse among students who attend Dairibord Rugby Festival, Sport aids Programme Officer Dickens Manyonyo revealed during the ongoing festival at Prince Edward.
By Tendai Chisiri
Organizations for sexual reproductive health use the rugby festival to reach the young people on awareness of their sexual reproductive health for instance basic sexual awareness, importance of testing, abstinence, HIV prevention as a whole and sexual reproduction rights.
“We visit schools of those who would have attended our sessions and ask teachers if the students behavior is changing”, said Mr Manyonyo.
“Last year we discovered that kids who participated at the rugby festival had a decrease in drug consumption especially in Dzivarasekwa”, he added.
Since last year Medicines Sans Frontier (MSF) began testing for HIV at their exhibition site.
Their Health promotion officer Mr Brian Hove encouraged health seeking behavior awareness in schools so that when students attend the festival, they would be at least empowered.
Special Olympics Zimbabwe (SOZ) is also exhibiting at the festival which is a catalyst for them to reach children without disabilities to meet those with intellectual disability. SOZ specializes in athletes from the age of 2-7.Viloa Musariri (SOZ) national coordinator said “ We are targeting youth and adults to be volunteers in our organization”.
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