PROJECT - ALERTOS DA VIDA

Alertos da Vida,  a Portuguese language participatory media group, uses theatre, radio and print to raise awareness around HIV/AIDS and human rights. The group was formed out of a need to address these issues in a Portuguese language setting. Because of the current economic situation in neighbouring Moza mbique, Johannesburg has become a target for thousands of Mozambicans looking for work. However, many of the people coming into the country speak little or no English, and only enough Zulu or other South African language to get by from a day to day basis. Because of this language barrier, current information campaigns and initiatives are not reaching this community.

Get the Facts Before you Go! (Portuguese Radio Spots)

The International Organization for Migration approached Alertos da Vida to do a series of short radio spots on human trafficking awareness. After discussions and role-plays on human trafficking and how it specifically affects young women, the group created, wrote, translated and voiced several public service announcements. Written as a mini-drama, each announcement looks at a different situation, and is designed to encourage people to get as many facts as they can before they decide to leave home. The dramas include instances where a domestic worker is forced to have sex with her boss, women promised modelling opportunities are sold into the sex industry, and a young farm worker is denied his promised pay and must return to Mozambique with nothing. The spots were produced for distribution to radio stations in Mozambique, and were officially launched in October 2005

45 Minutos Para Alertar: 45 Minutes to Alert
Alertos da Vida’s first play deals with HIV/AIDS awareness and the importance of safer sex and condom use. Prior to writing the script, the group conducted field research within the Mozambican community to find out what the major issues and concerns were. This research was used to inform the messages in the play, which was written and workshopped by the group members, and has been performed at community venues in Johannesburg’s Portuguese neighbourhood.

Currently, the group is working on turning the play into a Portuguese language comic book that can be sold and distributed to individuals, as well as to organizations that wish to reach out to the Mozambican community but do not have the resources to do so.