Love to Live Profile

LOVE TO LIVE CARING FOR LIFE

LOVE TO LIVE 034-017-NPO Caring for Life TEL: (033) 3943301, FAX: (033) 3949900 P O Box 13695, Cascades 3202

C A R I N G F O R L I F E

YOUTH, THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION ORGANISATIONS PROFILE 1)

Title of Event Love to Live Campaign

2)

Brief Description of Event Talent contests (song, dance and sketch) and essay and poster competitions will be held incorporating the central theme of Love to Live (positive messaging on suicide prevention, AIDS awareness, drug awareness and other moral regenerational issues).

Events encouraging positive development and a healthy lifestyle will be staged.

3)

Where will the Event take place?

Events will be staged at various venues throughout the province

4)

List who will be involved a) Primary and secondary school pupils and their families b) Local NGO’s and community based organisations c) Health institutions, educators and health professionals

5)

Objective of the event The mission of Love to Live is to undertake community based projects that would create an opportunity for young people (and adults) to learn about ways and means of preventing and dealing with crucial public health and moral regenerational issues.

6)

Does organisation receive any funding?

Receives financial support from Department of Arts and Culture. Sponsorship is mainly in kind and organisation engages in own fund raising events eg golf days, dinner and dance

7)

How will community benefit from the event?

The event will assist in raising the awareness level of the youth and the public relating to crucial public health and moral regenerational issues and help reduce/prevent the incidence in the community eg drug abuse

Dr SV Moodley Chairman/Director of Events Cell 082 461 8178 danmoodley@iburst.co.za

Each & Every One Of Us Can Love To Live & Live To Love

Historical Background Suicide behaviour constitutes a serious public and mental health problem, with an increasing number of young people taking their own lives. The overall suicide rates in many countries have risen over the last 10 to 15 years – to a large extent due to the increase in suicide in the younger age groups (Williams, 1997). In South Africa, suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people aged 15 to 24 and the fourth leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 14.

Youth suicides in Pietermaritzburg While suicide is always viewed as a serious problem, this issue raised much concern in the Pietermaritzburg north area during the year 2001 when a secondary school pupil became the third pupil at his school and the 15th child in the area to take his own life over a period of seven months.

Feeling the need to respond to this problem Famcare Therapy Centre and Pietermaritzburg and District Community Chest (who initiated a mental health destigmatization campaign in the city during the year 2000) decided that a community-based prevention programme was necessary. A major campaign in the area could have maximum impact in reaching the youth and transmitting positive messages relating to mental health. This resulted in the birth of ‘Love to Live’, a campaign spearheaded by a committee of mental health professionals, educators, sports representatives, business and other concerned members of the community.

Prevention of suicide is by no means an easy task. There is no doubt that to reduce the rate of suicidal behaviours significant attention must be given to helping the community identify and appropriately refer vulnerable individuals. This, of course, entails helping the community become more knowledgeable about mental health problems such as selfdestructive behaviours.

PROGRAMME OF ACTION The Love to Live Campaign Against this background the co-ordinating committee set about developing a mental health promotion campaign targeting suicide prevention among the young. To this end responsible media coverage of the youth suicide problem was encouraged, focusing more on the help and resources available within the city and how to cope with suicidal thoughts. In this regard a healthy level of co-operation and liaison between mental health professionals and journalists is essential, in view of the potential damage that can result from irresponsible journalism.

A two-day community awareness campaign was launched in an attempt to reduce the rate of suicides. The event took place at a large stadium in the city, and included social, recreational and sporting components, catering to the needs of the youth. However, it also imparted the valuable messages of positive mental health. It is important to remember that health promotion campaigns aimed at young people must include social and recreational elements in order to encourage attendance and participation. To this end the programme provided two full days of entertainment, sport, music, dance, fashion and sketch presentations by learners who were encouraged to infuse crucial positive messaging on suicide prevention.

C A R I N G F O R L I F E

Target Community Research has demonstrated that suicidal behaviour is not limited to specific groups, and is increasingly affecting all of the nation’s people. However, in view of the concerns over the self-destructive behaviours among youth, the main target population for this campaign was the Primary and Secondary School pupils in the Pietermaritzburg area. The idea was to encourage as many young people (and their families) as possible to attend and participate in the campaign so that the critical mental health messages of Love to Live could be disseminated.

C A R I N G

LOVE TO LIVE CAMPAIGNS OVER THE YEARS Founding Project: Love to Live 2002 The first Love to Live Campaign was held at the Protea Sports Centre on 2-3 March 2002.

While it is always difficult to gauge the success of community-based mental health promotion programmes such as this, the large attendance at the event, the enthusiastic participation of schools, the generous sponsorships made available by business and the quality of presentations especially from learners made it clear that the objectives of the campaign were achieved. In the essay and poster competitions the submissions from school pupils were generally of a good standing, but more importantly they showed an understanding of mental health issues and impressed with their suggestions regarding dealing with stressful life situations.

The AIDS play by Hecate Corporate Theatre entitled “Live On, Live Long” was also a significant feature of the programme and provided valuable information to young people on this critical topic. In addition it served to balance the mental health focus that formed the main thrust of the programme.

Love To Live 2003

F O R L I F E

Following the success of the 2002 campaign Love to Live 2003 was held at the Protea Sports Centre on the 3–4 May 2003. For this event the focus on suicide prevention continued, although a stronger emphasis was placed on HIV/AIDS education and prevention strategies, substance abuse and other relevant social issues pertaining to improving mental health, in keeping with the vision of Love to Live. The two-day event was marked by local NGO’s giving free advice and counselling on dealing with stress and substance abuse. The role of these two factors in suicidal behaviour and other mental health problems are well documented (Gelder, Gath & Mayou, 1994). Local schools also embraced the event by participating in the various sporting codes, talent contests and other events, relaying a message of suicide prevention and a healthy and drug-free lifestyle to the youngsters. National Radio Station, Lotus FM broadcasted live from the venue and increased the awareness level of the campaign locally and nationally. Local print media sponsor, Public Eye, was recognised with an award for their extensive support of the campaign.

Love To Live 2004 Love to Live 2004 was held at the Northdale Stadium on the 6th & 7th March 2004. Despite the rain, there was a highly enthusiastic response from the public. Local schools again embraced the event in a strong way, by participating in various sporting codes and artistic events, conveying the message of suicide prevention, mental health promotion, HIV/AIDS and substance abuse awareness.

A secondary objective of Love to Live emerged as the raising of much-needed funds for local schools. Considering the majority of schools in the area are historically disadvantaged, fundraising is a welcome benefit to them. The Love to Live Fun Run held on Sunday, 7th March at the Northdale Stadium attracted about 6000 participants, and raised an amount exceeding R160 000 for participating schools, with individual schools raising amounts of up to R22 000.

Love To Live 2005 Many Months of planning and hard work culminated in an even bigger and better Love to Live 2005 which was held on the 7th & 8th May 2005 at the Protea Sports Centre. Many local NGO’s including Lifeline, SANCA, Mental Health Society, PAFTA, AA and Narcotics Anonymous participated in the campaign by providing valuable information to the public.

There was a huge increase and improvement in the quality of learner presentations which elevated the edufair aspect of the campaign. There was also a huge increase in participation in the Love to Live Fun Run which raised an amount of R260,000 for participating schools, with Deccan Road Primary raising an amount of R42,000.

Love To Live 2006 Love to Live celebrated 6 years of service to the community in 2006 culminating in a vastly educational, informative and extremely entertaining event at the Protea Sports Centre from the 5th to 7th May 2006.It was amazing the way the initiative grew within a few years into a major annual health project that attracted the support of major role players and the community. The Msunduzi Municipality together with media sponsor Public Eye, and ICESA, New Nation Beverages and Cascades Centre threw their full weight behind the initiative.

Accompanying this spurt in growth was the ever increasing participation of the educational sector thanks to education MEC Mrs Ina Cronje, who endorsed and expressed full support for the campaigns initiatives.

C A R I N G

Love To Live 2007 Many Months of planning and hard work culminated in an even bigger and better Love to Live 2007 which was held from the 4th to 6th May 2007 at the Protea Sports Centre. Many local NGO’s including Lifeline, SANCA, Mental Health Society, PAFTA, AA and Narcotics Anonymous participated in the campaign by providing valuable information to the public.

There was a huge increase and improvement in the quality of learner presentations which elevated the edufair aspect of the campaign. There was also a huge increase in participation in the Love to Live Fun Run which raised an amount of R260, 000 for participating schools, with Deccan Road Primary raising an amount of R42, 000.

A milestone event in 2007 was the launch of the Love to Live website by Education MEC, Mrs Ina Cronje on Saturday, 5th May at the Protea Sports Centre.

Love To Live 2008 Love, Love & more Love! That was the overwhelming spirit of another very successful Love to Live campaign that was held from the 16th to 18th May at the Protea Sports Centre.

The response from the public was unbelievable. Thirty five local schools enthusiastically embraced the event by participating in various talent contests, in which a strong message on suicide prevention, HIV/Aids and drug awareness was sent out to the community. The Glamorous Gran, interschool Sari Contest and Baby Contest catered for the whole family.

F O R L I F E

The campaign recorded the highest number of entries in all categories. Over 2500 submissions each were received for the essay and poster competitions. Several schools competed for the Crerars cheque of R2000 for the school that submitted the most number of entries for the educational aspect of the campaign, which was won by Northlands Primary School with more than 60 children participating. Sobantu Secondary School entered for the first time and scooped several awards including 2nd position in the Sketch contest, 1st position in the poster competition and 2nd and 3rd position in the fun run Sunday. Some 7000 entrants participated in the fun run on Sunday, 18th May. Proceeds from the fun run reached an unbelievable R300, 000. Schools were presented with up to 90% of funds raised at the Love to Live Awards Evening which was held on 8th June at the Eddels Sports Club.

C A R I N G

Love To Live 2009

F O R

Thanks to the continued invaluable support of the Department of Arts, Culture and Sport, Love to Live was able to promote the objectives of Love to Live at the Royal Agricultural Show.

Successful road shows were held at Henryville Primary School in Imbahlenhle and Sobantu Secondary School, providing much needed services in these areas. Love to Live co-hosted a successful event with St Anne’s Hospital in August 2009. A milestone event was the launch of the Woman’s division of Love to Live at the Annual General Meeting in September 2009.

L I F E

“Yes I Can, We Can” and we did. Love to Live 2009 was held from the 15th to 17th May at the Protea Sports Centre was without doubt the biggest and best campaign ever.

The inaugural Love to Live/NPA/SAPS (Mountain Rise) Crime Prevention, Road Safety and Child Protection Day was a huge success with some 5000 learners from neighbouring schools attending. The combined accident scene display by Road Traffic Inspectorate, Fire Department, ER24 & SAPS coordinated by Inspector Maistry from Mountain Rise Police Station was a learning experience for all, as was the bomb disposal demonstration, the booze bus and the road safety caravan.

Thirty five local schools enthusiastically embraced the event by participating in various talent contests, in which strong messages on “Positive Thinking” & “Positive Living” were sent out to the community. It was encouraging that several schools increased their level of participation with several schools notably participating for the first time. Essay and poster competitions increased from 4000 to 5000 entries each. Some 6000 entrants participated in the fun run Sunday, 17th May with proceeds reaching an unbelievable R300, 000 despite the economic downturn.

Love To Live 2010 Love to Live 2010 held from the 30th April to 2nd May at the Protea Sports Centre was without doubt the biggest and best campaign to date and a most appropriate way to celebrate 10 years of service to the community.

The Love to Live/NPA/SAPS (Mountain Rise) Crime Prevention, Road Safety and Child Protection Day was once again a huge success with some 4000 learners from neighbouring schools attending. The overall spirit of the event was once again overwhelming. Thirty seven local schools enthusiastically embraced the event by participating in various talent contests, in which a strong messages on the themes “Life is a Precious Gift” and “Ubuntu, Our Strength” were sent out to the community. The number of entries in all categories has been increasing annually and this year did notdisappoint. Some 6000 entrants participated in the fun run Sunday, 2nd May, making this race one of the biggest fun runs in the city. Proceeds from the fun run have once again reached an unbelievable R375, 000 despite the economic downturn. Schools were presented with up to 90% of funds raised at a special presentation on Thursday, 20th May at the Eddels Sports Club.

The Woman’s division continues to impress with assistance rendered to Allandale Primary, WA Lewitt, Ramatha Road, Little Hearts Foundation, Northlands and Rosefern. Love to Live ventured into Imbali and Edendale with the inaugural Love to Live Imbali Sports Council Festival with 16 schools (primary and secondary) participating in a most successful soccer and netball tournament on 20th March 2010.This event is envisaged to become an annual event with the increasing number of cultural and educational aspects added to the program.

Love to Live 2011 Love to Live 2011 held from the 18th to 20th March at the Mountain Rise Primary School was without doubt the biggest and best campaign to date and a most appropriate way to celebrate 11 years of service to the community.

The Love to Live/NPA/SAPS (Mountain Rise) Crime Prevention, Road Safety and Child Protection Day was once again a huge success with some 4000 learners from neighbouring schools attending. The overall spirit of the event was once again overwhelming. Thirty seven local schools enthusiastically embraced the event by participating in various talent contests, in which a strong messages on the themes “Hard Work Leads To Success ” were sent out to the community. The number of entries in all categories has been increasing annually and this year did not disappoint. Some 6000 entrants participated in the Love to Live Peace and Hope fun run Sunday, 2nd May, making this race one of the biggest fun runs in the city. Proceeds from the fun run have once again reached an unbelievable R390, 000 despite the economic downturn. Schools were presented with up to 90% of funds raised at a special presentation on Mnday, 6th June at the Eddels Sports Club. Thanks to the support of the Department of Arts, Culture and Sport, the campaign was taken to other areas of the province (Ugu and Sisonke) in August 2011 and in so doing assisted in positively influencing the lives of many more learners.

The Woman’s division continues to impress with assistance rendered to several schools including Umsilinga Primary School. Live ventured into Edendale with the inaugural Love to Live Young Money Heritage Day festival on Saturday, 11th September 2010 at the Ashdown Community Hall. This event is envisaged to become an annual event with the increasing number of cultural and educational aspects added to the program.

Love to Live 2012 Love to Live 2012 was held at the Protea Sports centre from 18th to 20th May 2012. It was an amazing sight to see the apt attention paid by the youth being educated by their peers on crucial public health issues. Thirty five local schools enthusiastically embraced the event by participating in various talent contests, in which a strong message based on the theme “Nelson Mandela, My Hero” was sent out to the community.

The campaign recorded a good number of entries in all categories. The quality of the submissions continued to improve from year to year with schools competing for the winning sketch prize money, which was scooped by Khwezi Primary & Eastwood Secondary Schools.

The overall spirit of the Peace and Hope Walk was once again overwhelming. Some 4000 enthusiastic entrants of all ages participated in the event Sunday, 20th May, making this race one of the biggest fun runs in the city. Proceeds from the fun run have exceeded all expectations and reached an unbelievable R440, 000. Schools were presented with up to 90% of funds raised at a special presentation on Friday, 15th June.

C A R I N G F O R L I F E

Sunday 20th May, was undoubtedly a memorable occasion for several reasons. The public gathered in huge numbers to celebrate the youth of our community and their many great talents. The event also celebrated the life of the greatest living legend of all time – prisoner for 27 years, peacemaker in one of the most notorious struggles the world has ever seen, first president of a democratic South Africa and Nobel Laureate. All of which culminated in him being the only man ever to be afforded the accolade of having his birthday, July 18th, to be named after him, as ‘Mandela Day’ all over the world.

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This great man may not have been there in person, but he was most definitely there in spirit.

This was evident when Mandela magic made an appearance in the form of the honourable Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize (Mandela of KZN), who graced the event with his presence. In celebration of Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary life, 27 local nominees who made selfless and significant contributions to the development of our community received special awards to pay tribute to the 27 years spent in prison. These contributions have been made in various ways, be it in the cultural, religious, athletic or political arena. A few, besides contributing in other ways, have supported Love to Live unconditionally, for example, by walking the Love to Live race religiously since its inception 12 years ago – one of whom was Mr Vadivelu Pillay, 86 years old, who walked the race again! Rest assured that each and every one of the 27 nominees has made a great difference.

Nelson Mandela once said, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite”. This is in keeping with motto of Love to Live which is “Each and every one of us can Love to Live and Live to Love”.

LOVE TO LIVE 2013 BUDGET ESTIMATION The following is the estimated budget to cover the costs of the 2012/2013 campaign: Stage Hire Sound System Portable Toilet Hire Marquee Hire Catering (General Category) Catering (Sports & Recreation) Casual Labour Security Lucky Draw Prizes Administrative Costs Stationary Sundry Expenses Telephone Faxes Photocopy Medal Costs (Fun Run) Medal Costs (Sports Codes) Trophies Figurines Posters Information Pamphlets (Suicide, Aids, Drugs) Advertising Banners Entry Forms (Fun Run & Sports Codes) Final Programme Raffle Forms Participation Tickets Participation Certificates T Shirts (Love To Live) Flyers TOTAL

R15 000 R15 000 R8 000 R10 000 R10 000 R8 000 R4 000 R8 000 R6 000 R8 000 R8 000 R8 000 R8 000 R4 000 R4 000 R20 000 R15 000 R6 000 R4 000 R8 000 R8 000 R10 000 R8 000 R9 000 R3 000 R3 000 R8 000 R9 000 R20 000 R8 000 R253 000

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LOVE TO LIVE 2013 BUDGET ESTIMATION – SATELITE EVENTS The following is the estimated budget to cover the costs of the 2012/2013 campaign for each satellite event :

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Sound System Catering Trophies/Figurines/Prizes Information Pamphlets (Suicide, Aids, Drugs) Transport TOTAL

Love to Live Bank Account Signatories SV Moodley Chairman A Naidoo Vice Chairman C Singh Treasurer

R15000 R10000 R4000 R4000 R12,000 R45,000

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