HEARTLINES

Key HEARTLINES communication components include:

• TV dramas. The first activity will be the production of 8 TV films for prime-time viewing. Each episode will be a stand-alone story. The drama will use the concept of “edutainment” to promote values and stimulate discussion. A spiritual dimension will be introduced into the dramas to give the values an authority base. The content for the TV episodes includes issues and values related to HIV/AIDS, abstinence, prejudice, parenting, poverty, rehabilitation of criminals, corruption, forgiveness and reconciliation. It will be broadcast in 2006 on the South African Broadcasting Corporation - (SABC) Channel 2. The series aims to impact on the heart of HIV/AIDS which the organisers believe is fuelled by the high levels of violence, corruption, drug abuse, family breakdown, poverty and unemployment.
• Print materials for parents and children aged from 3-7 years old. The project will produce a 112-page book that will be distributed nationwide. The first 30 pages will contain guidelines for teaching values to children, explaining how values can enable children to make choices that can protect them from HIV/AIDS and make them more socially responsible. It will also show how stories can be used as a strategy in this regard. The second section of the book will contain 4 illustrated stories. The stories will deal with the following values:
  1. honesty
  2. care and compassion
  3. perseverance and delayed gratification
  4. acceptance for those who are different (weaker, blacker, whiter etc).
• FBOs and community mobilisation. The third component will seek to mobilise FBOs and other relevant communities to use the broadcast period of the TV series to put the issue of values at the top of the public agenda, through stimulating national debate and to use the teaching materials produced by the project to promote the living out of these values.

The series and the resources will be produced in a combination of Southern African languages with English sub-titles. Running concurrently will be radio talk shows aimed at getting the nation to debate these values. After the TV series has completed its run, eight radio dramas produced in the eleven official languages will be broadcast. Storybooks for children and other material incorporating the same themes that are covered on the series are also planned.

HIV/AIDS.

Values identified are:

• forgiveness;
• compassion (selfless love);
• self-control (delayed gratification);
• responsibility;
• race (redemption through love);
• tolerance (of diversity);
• perseverance (in the face of adversity); and
• integrity (trust).