Charlize Theron has spent the last 10 years working to improve the lives of South African youth. In an exclusive interview, we find out how she did it!
Charlize Theron is so much bigger than just a Hollywood star, the cameras and paparazzi never fully capture the warmth of her heart or amount of empathy she feels for the youth in South Africa.
South Africa has always been home to Charlize, it’s in her blood and bones, which is why she started the ‘Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project’ (CTAOP), to support organisations that empower and educate the youth of South Africa. Fighting HIV/AIDS has been a big passion for Charlize. Her outreach project works with organisations to educate the youth and to have the important conversations that are not happening.
The key to fighting HIV/AIDS is in educating the next generation. CTAOP supports organisations that offer education through youth development. Thanks to successful projects with partner grantees such as HIVSA, the youth are becoming empowered and having meaningful conversations which in turn creates leaders for the next generation.
Good Things Guy was given an opportunity to discuss the growth of CTAOP with Charlize Theron in honour of the outreach projects 10th Anniversary. Along with the interview, we are also able to share an exclusive documentary showcasing the work that Charlize, CTAOP and the grantees have done over the past 10 years in South Africa. During her latest trip to South Africa, she was accompanied by Trevor Noah and Chelsea Handler who joined to meet the youth involved in the successful projects being run.
You can watch the incredible documentary below.
1.Since starting CTAOP, have you seen a significant change in the amount of knowledge the youth has gained with regards to HIV/AIDS?
“Absolutely. For example, through the Choma Dreams Café and “CHOMA” (a mobile phone application in partnership with one of our grantees, HIVSA), safe spaces have been provided for girls online and offline to engage in dialogues around sexual and reproductive health and education without the fear and stigma that comes with the subject of sex and young people.”
“These Cafés show the power of youth to share what they have learned to their families, friends, and broader communities. I got to see this first hand on our visit in August. Since we launched CHOMA (the mobile phone application), in 2013, over 1.3 million young people have actively engaged on the platform, which is a remarkable uptake from the youth.”
2. Having touched the lives of over 300,000 since starting the outreach project, have the youth become more vocal about issues that directly influence them? Is there a willingness to share experiences?
“Looking back to my recent visit to one of our grantees and my interactions with the girls, I would definitely say so. The girls were so open and honest in sharing their stories with us – it was raw and emotional. Yet it seemed like such a weight off their shoulders as they felt safe enough to open up about some really tough experiences.”
“Years ago, these stories would never have been shared, and young people would live with their trauma in secret, which can have an immensely negative impact on them. But over and above sharing their experiences, what was really inspiring was to see their desire to influence change, not just for themselves but also for their peers and their communities.”
3. If HIV/AIDS is ended in this lifetime, is there another cause you would advocate for, that corresponds with the ethos of CTAOP?
“Youth empowerment would be where I would focus. We have already started making plans for this as part of the work we do. In the wake of CTAOP’s 10-year anniversary, we announced that we will be providing scholarships to South African youth with the aim of raising these leaders to become the next generation of change makers. We are calling it the CTAOP Youth Leaders Scholarship Fund. We want to better support these young influencers because they will be the ones to change the world, we just need to give them the tools to do it and get out of their way.”
4. How do you feel having accomplished so much through CTAOP over the last 10 years?
“In one word – energised. It has been remarkable to see the impact CTAOP and our amazing grantees have had over the past ten years. I am really proud and inspired by the commitment and passion of the organisations we have the honour of supporting.”
“CTAOP and our grantees have worked so hard together and in such solidarity to get to where we are today, but we cannot rest. This anniversary and taking the time to reflect on the last ten years has really renewed my commitment to the youth of South Africa and to fight alongside those in the global movement to see the day when AIDS no longer has such a stronghold on our country and other parts of the world.”
5. Making a positive change in South Africa, have you seen people influenced by CTAOP standing up and making a change within each of their communities?
“Definitely, but the real credit goes to the community-based organisations that CTAOP supports. They are the ones doing the tough work day in and day out. We have seen some amazing change-makers in these communities, including both staff at these organisations and beneficiaries.”
“Again, referring back to our most recent visit, we saw young women standing up to not only make changes in their own lives but also within their communities. During the visit, one of the Choma DREAMS Café ambassadors stood up and explained that before she started going to the café, she felt lost and without hope, but now she wants to influence other girls to take control of their lives and futures.”
HIVSA CEO, Jean Armstrong confirmed that the work being done has impacted many lives and thus led to Choma becoming one of the leading NGO’s on Facebook and a top brand in South Africa. As they say, “the proof is in the pudding”.
“CTAOP has supported HIVSA throughout the years to support our vision to empower young women and contribute towards the next HIV free generation. Choma is now one of the top 10 NGOs on Facebook, and ranks in the top 500 brands in South Africa, according to Facebook Insights.” – Jean Armstrong
We would like to thank Charlize for her time with us and the dedication she has had in ensuring that the South African youth are uplifted. We want to wish CTAOP success over the next 10 years, the South Africa youth will be forever grateful!
You can find out more about what the outreach does in South Africa here.
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