Di-Besties Diabetes Camp: Finding Strength in Each Other

This year, Keready had the privilege of joining the Di-Besties Diabetes Camp, a two-day camp for young people living with diabetes, hosted at Koru Camp in Hoedspruit in collaboration with the Timbavati Foundation, Tintswalo Hospital and the Tshemba Foundation. Eleven teens attended, including two who had only recently been diagnosed.

Keready partnered with the organisers in two ways:

• capturing the stories of the young people, and
• offering psychosocial support through the Keready WhatsApp line, so that the campers have a safe place to turn to long after the camp has ended.

 

Day one began with everyone getting to know one another, followed by health education sessions where each camper received a donated continuous glucose monitor and learned how to read it, a practical skill that builds confidence in managing their condition day to day. Daily game drives, activities and plenty of shared moments filled the rest of the camp, reminding the teens that there is far more to them than their condition and that it doesn’t have to limit them. The bond that formed between the young people was beautiful to witness, and we adults found our own connection too, united by a shared commitment to improving the lives of young people in our communities.

The most moving part was watching the teens realise they are not alone. All of them come from small communities where diabetes is poorly understood and where some even believe the myth that the condition is caused by witchcraft, a stigma that can be deeply isolating for a young person already adjusting to daily insulin and constant monitoring. At camp, they found friends who simply understood.

Hearing each camper’s diabetes story was a privilege, although some were heartbreaking. Sixteen-year-old, Vinolia recently lost her mother to diabetes complications and lives with the fear that she will suffer the same fate, while Antoinette spoke openly about a time when, in denial about her diagnosis, she flushed her medication away. Owame has lived with diabetes since the age of two and has been bullied for it throughout her school life. Nswariso, who is just 13, has been denied the chance to take her insulin or check her glucose levels at school, leading to repeated hospital admissions as her condition remains poorly controlled.

Over the next few weeks, we will share these stories on our social media platforms as we mark World Diabetes Day on 14 November. This year’s theme, Early action on diabetes, focuses on early diagnosis, and we hope these stories will encourage families and communities to recognise the warning signs and get tested early, while also helping more people, especially in the communities these teens call home, to understand the condition and better support the young people living with it.

This work also sits at the heart of the Hold My Hand movement and the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC), which calls on every part of society, from government and schools to clinics, families and neighbours, to put children and teenagers first. The stories from Di-Besties show exactly why that matters, because a teen who is denied her insulin at school, bullied for her condition or told that her illness is the result of witchcraft has been let down by the very systems and communities meant to protect her. As we mark Children’s Month this November, we invite everyone to do just one thing for a young person living with a chronic condition, whether that is learning the warning signs of diabetes, making space for a learner to manage their health at school or simply listening without judgement, so that these young people can grow up feeling safe, seen and supported.

Finally, we want every child living with a chronic condition to know that they are not defined by it and that they matter.

“We asked teens how they’re feeling right now, here’s what they told us” 

Keready responds to the emotional toll of recent news on South African youth

 

As news of the alleged serial killings targeting women in Gauteng continues to dominate social media and daily conversation, Keready – Hold My Hand’s teen identity campaign – opened a direct, judgement-free channel to ask young people one simple question: how is this landing for you?

 

The response was immediate, honest, and, at times, difficult to read.

 

“Is it horrible to wish it would all just fade away?” one teen asked. Another admitted, “It’s not that bad, so I’m okay”, a reminder that coping looks different for everyone, and that neither response needs defending.

 

Several young people described a quieter kind of exhaustion. “Do you know what’s going on in our society?” one wrote. Another said simply: “I feel sad, because innocent people are getting killed and the people who are supposed to protect us are the ones causing the pain.” For some, it was official messaging itself that stung the most. The instruction to “avoid getting killed” landed less as safety advice and more as confirmation that fear has become something they’re expected to just live with.

 

Many felt let down by those meant to protect them, and said as much without hesitation.

For some, the fear wasn’t abstract, it showed up in ordinary moments. One young woman described how the anxiety of simply walking to school alone left her unable to focus on a test that same week. “I basically just need tips on how to stay grounded and know that I am surrounded,” she wrote.

 

Notably, some of the most thoughtful responses came from boys grappling with a harder question: not how to stay safe, but why this keeps happening at all. “What makes someone want to hurt people they’ve never met?” one asked. “And how do we raise boys who don’t grow up to become that?”

 

“What we heard wasn’t panic, but it was grief, fatigue, and a real desire to understand,” said Dr Katlego Selikane, Lead at Keready. “Teens don’t need to be shielded from how they feel about what’s happening around them. They need to know it’s normal to feel heavy, and that asking hard questions is exactly the kind of thinking that changes things.”

 

Keready’s work is built around identity, agency and connectedness and for teens who are navigating purpose, belonging, self-worth, and agency in a country where the news doesn’t always make that easy. This moment, the team says, is no exception.

 

Keready will continue to create space for these conversations in the weeks ahead, without minimising what young people are feeling or rushing them toward answers that aren’t there yet. The Keready WhatsApp line is supported by a team that includes Dr Katlego, nurses, counsellor, communicator and social worker. Any teen who wants to talk, about this, or anything else, can reach Keready on WhatsApp: 060 019 0000.

As South Africa celebrates Youth Month, the Hold My Hand campaign is reminding the nation that children and teenagers aren’t just our future: they’re leading the way right now.

In a powerful online event during may that brought together over 200 participants from across the country, young leaders shared their lived realities, frustrations, and clear-eyed visions for a better South Africa. The Hold My Hand webinar wasn’t just a conversation, it was a wake-up call.

Guided by the draft National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC), Hold My Hand is a growing movement committed to putting children and teens at the heart of change. This youth month, it’s all about letting young voices take the spotlight, and turning their courage into commitments.

As 17-year-old Bontle Motatsa, NSAAC Children and Adolescents Representative, put it: “Don’t just hear us. Act on what we say. We are tired of being part of discussions that go nowhere.”

Keready, the youth-led health movement that’s become a lifeline for thousands, is part of Hold My Hand, and is a platform for teen expression. Via social media and WhatsApp, Keready is showing what happens when campaigns meet young people where they are. “Keready is a real example of what youth-centred communications looks like: immediate, informal, and genuinely helpful,” says Keready Lead Dr Katlego Selikane.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar:

• Break the “blue tick” culture: Youth want more than to be heard. They want action, feedback, and accountability.
• Tackle the real issues: From food insecurity and unsafe environments to the lack of mental health support and employment pathways, these are not side issues; they are the core of what’s holding youth back.
• Amplify voices, not just stories: Media must move beyond tokenism and truly hand over the mic to children and teens.
• Accessibility for all: Especially for young people with disabilities, there’s a desperate need for platforms that include everyone.

 

This Youth Month, Hold My Hand is doubling down on its call to reimagine how we support, fund, and design programmes for teenagers. This includes challenging harmful norms, like South Africa’s relationship with alcohol, strengthening initiatives that help us to all thrive, and embracing bold new interventions, like those being fast-tracked by the Hold My Hand Accelerator for Children and Teens.

“A teen’s outreached hand isn’t a plea for help, but an invitation to walk and grow together, leading towards a brighter future” says Gomolemo Pooe, a 17-year-old participant in the Article 12, Web Rangers Programme focusing on digital literacy and empowering young people to promote safe internet use and champion their digital rights.

 

A Special Call to the Media: Amplify Young Voices

One resounding message was clear. The media must play its part in amplifying the authentic voices of children and teenagers. Too often, stories are told about children, without ever giving them a chance to speak for themselves. As the Hold My Hand community grows, we invite media partners to walk this journey with us. Together, we can help children and teens take their rightful place in the national conversation, shaping the headlines that define their future.

The webinar recording is now available for viewing and sharing: 

https://youtu.be/KbKnX8sUzwQ?si=d81avKM5HW2lRef0

As South Africa celebrates Youth Month, Keready, the dynamic youth-led health movement, urges the nation to remember the importance of empowering and investing in young people – not just during this dedicated time, but throughout the year.

 

“Let’s celebrate Youth Month by investing in the health and well-being of young people – this month and every month. Together, we can build a healthier and more empowered future for all,” says Dr Inga Mgaleli who leads the movement in the Ekuhurleni and Sedibeng districts.

Keready recognises the immense potential young people hold in shaping a healthier future for themselves and their communities. The movement goes beyond providing health information and services for youth advocacy; they call to provide a platform for young voices to be heard and a springboard for action.

“Youth Month is a powerful reminder that young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow, but active changemakers today,” says Dr Anda Gxolo, one of the leaders in the Eastern Cape. “At Keready, we believe in amplifying youth voices in the health space, fostering awareness about critical health issues, and equipping them with the tools they need to advocate for themselves and their peers.”

 

Keready offers a unique space for young people to engage with their health through their team of over 400 young doctors, nurses, mobilisers, communicators and drivers reaching out to youth through various channels including door-to-door mobilisation. Their 46 mobile health clinic teams have served over 3.4 million people in Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Nearly 100,000 people have  used the confidential 24/7 WhatsApp line to ask questions and get health information. Engaging content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram keeps young people informed and interested in their health. Keready has reached over 700,000 learners with informative and interactive health talks which the teams give at schools.

 

All in all, Keready provides trustworthy health information, advocacy tools and a safe space for dialogue. “We cut through the noise with clear, reliable information on a range of health topics relevant to young people. We empower young people to become advocates for their health and the health of their communities. Our platforms and public health talks encourage open conversations about mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and overall well-being,” says Dr Madaliso Phiri, who is a leader in the King Cetshwayo district in KwaZulu-Natal.

 

Young people are invited to join the movement and stay connected with the latest health information, by following Keready across social media platforms @kereadysa and connecting on WhatsApp 060 019 0000.

As South Africa celebrates Youth Month, Keready, the dynamic youth-led health movement, urges the nation to remember the importance of empowering and investing in young people – not just during this dedicated time, but throughout the year.

 

“Let’s celebrate Youth Month by investing in the health and well-being of young people – this month and every month. Together, we can build a healthier and more empowered future for all,” says Dr Inga Mgaleli who leads the movement in the Ekuhurleni and Sedibeng districts.

Keready recognises the immense potential young people hold in shaping a healthier future for themselves and their communities. The movement goes beyond providing health information and services for youth advocacy; they call to provide a platform for young voices to be heard and a springboard for action.

“Youth Month is a powerful reminder that young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow, but active changemakers today,” says Dr Anda Gxolo, one of the leaders in the Eastern Cape. “At Keready, we believe in amplifying youth voices in the health space, fostering awareness about critical health issues, and equipping them with the tools they need to advocate for themselves and their peers.”

 

Keready offers a unique space for young people to engage with their health through their team of over 400 young doctors, nurses, mobilisers, communicators and drivers reaching out to youth through various channels including door-to-door mobilisation. Their 46 mobile health clinic teams have served over 3.4 million people in Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Nearly 100,000 people have  used the confidential 24/7 WhatsApp line to ask questions and get health information. Engaging content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram keeps young people informed and interested in their health. Keready has reached over 700,000 learners with informative and interactive health talks which the teams give at schools.

 

All in all, Keready provides trustworthy health information, advocacy tools and a safe space for dialogue. “We cut through the noise with clear, reliable information on a range of health topics relevant to young people. We empower young people to become advocates for their health and the health of their communities. Our platforms and public health talks encourage open conversations about mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and overall well-being,” says Dr Madaliso Phiri, who is a leader in the King Cetshwayo district in KwaZulu-Natal.

 

Young people are invited to join the movement and stay connected with the latest health information, by following Keready across social media platforms @kereadysa and connecting on WhatsApp 060 019 0000.

South Africa – February 2024 –  February is the month of love, and while the focus is around Valentine’s Day, romance and love, leading youth-led health movement Keready advocates it is worth remembering that it is also Reproductive Health Month. Throughout the month, Keready will spark important conversations through its active social media channels and mobile clinics, about sexual and emotional well-being, empowering young people in South Africa to make informed choices about their bodies and relationships.

Keready’s presence on social media and its network of 46 mobile clinics across four provinces will be buzzing with positive messages and resources. From healthy relationships and communication to sexual health and self-care, Keready aims to equip young people with the knowledge and confidence they need to thrive.

Doctor James Menyah-Artivor, overseeing the Tshwane region at Keready, emphasises the importance of this combined focus: “Love and healthy relationships are cornerstones of young people’s well-being, and reproductive health is intricately linked to that. By celebrating both this February, we hope to empower young people to make informed decisions about their bodies, their relationships, and using protection. We encourage open conversations and aim to dispel myths surrounding these crucial topics.”

Keready provides free, confidential reproductive health services like contraceptives, STI and HIV screening along with treatment. Beyond this, the Keready team also actively engage young people through interactive school sessions and collaborations with community partners. These sessions cover essential topics such as healthy relationships, effective communication, and responsible sexual health practices.

 

“As teenage pregnancy rates remain a concern, we recognise the urgent need for comprehensive education on contraceptives, consent, and healthy relationships. That’s why we urge everyone to join the conversation and help spread the message of love and reproductive health. Together, we can create a brighter future for young people,” says Doctor Dineo Sefoloko, overseeing the Durban region at Keready.

Young people can get answers to all their reproductive health questions by simply sending a WhatsApp message to 060 019 0000. Additionally, Keready’s social media pages (@kereadysa) offer a wealth of information and resources, further amplifying their mission to promote accessible healthcare for young people. The Keready team of 10 young doctors, will also host weekly TikTok Q&A sessions on reproductive health topics, covering pregnancy, STIs, PrEP, PEP, and condoms. These sessions go live each Wednesday at 7pm.