What is WAIT?

"WAIT is a proactive and dynamic peer education project, aimed at preventing the spread of HIV through delaying sexual activity, and inspiring young people to live a healthy and ultimately satisfying lifestyle.”

“The objective is to go beyond the prevalent condom culture of today and empower young people with an alternative choice through showing the benefits of abstinence until marriage and fidelity within, for the sake of lasting happiness."

Where did WAIT begin?

WAIT began in Washington D.C. IN 2002 to combat the growing sexually transmitted illnesses epidemic amongst the youth of today. The prevention of HIV/AIDS truly is a matter of life and death! WAIT is therefore aimed to change the common attitude towards abstinence through creating a dynamic educational programme. This programme encourages an atmosphere of self respect and respect for others; the positive message that is carried is one of choice and development. The way in which HIV/AIDS prevention is conveyed is through PowerPoint presentations, personal testimonies, singing, acting and dancing.

WAIT has grown in size and influence through the dedication of its active volunteers. There are presently more than 10 WAIT teams around the world and this number is growing steadily.

WAIT has gained momentum through the growing support for its positive message. It now aims to establish more teams both in the U.S.A. and internationally. WAIT UK is the first international team and aims to develop greatly with the support of the American WAIT teams.

WAIT UK aims to change the widespread negativity towards abstinence education in Britain, and give the youth of the nation a real choice. All those involved have previous experience of abstinence programmes, youth education, and its great success. However, the appeal of the WAIT model has inspired them to establish WAIT UK; a new and inspiring approach to HIV prevention in the UK.

What does WAIT do?

he WAIT teams educate its audiences through PowerPoint presentations. The objectives of the presentations are to:

• Provide audiences with the basic facts on HIV/AIDS,

• Create awareness of its transmission and its devastating effects on health, life and society and

• Inform them of the various and most effective ways of preventing the infection, thus giving them the choice to make an informed decision for a positive lifestyle.

The goal of the presentations is to enable youth to:

• Define HIV/AIDS,

• Identify the basic modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS,

• Recognise the various factors that may expose them to the disease and

• Identify the various modes of HIV/AIDS prevention.

Much of the education is achieved through the performing arts. With songs, dances, sketches, speeches and game shows WAIT teach the facts and encourage youth to focus on their talents and dreams rather than making risky choices. Their message of respect for ones body and respect for others is carried through the atmosphere of creativity, enjoyment, hard work and appreciation. WAIT members stand as positive examples of young people who have chosen to live an abstinent lifestyle until a lifetime partnership and spread this choice to others. They are prepared to share their reasons ‘why’ and have invested their time and effort into doing so. It is their dedicated participation and their new approach which makes their message so much stronger.

Where do WAIT perform?

WAIT teams perform wherever there are young people and parents to hear their message. They have performed in schools, youth clubs, conferences, churches, showcases and in public festivals. They have performed hundreds of times across America and even performed in Israel and Korea, reaching many young people and parents with their new approach on making sexual decisions. They have achieved much success in changing attitudes, changing consciences and empowering young people to make decisions for the sake of their futures.