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By Noko Mashilo
Anastacia Mkhaliphi, a dedicated advocate for the well-being of young individuals during their transition from childhood to adulthood. Hailing from Tsetse village in Mahikeng, North West, the 35-year-old plays a vital role in offering essential care and support to students in various aspects of their daily lives.
Anastacia holds the position of in-school care champion at Lerothodi Secondary School in Bethani village, Brits, operating under the umbrella of Show Me Your Number. In this role, she extends her assistance to both young adolescent girls and boys, helping them navigate the challenges they face. Her primary objective is to guide them towards achieving their goals and dreams, regardless of the obstacles they encounter.
Focusing on fostering self-awareness among her students, Anastacia emphasises responsible decision-making, including choices such as abstinence, faithfulness, and condom use. She passionately advocates for informed choices, especially in the context of preventing HIV and AIDS. Anastacia believes that empowering the youth to make informed decisions will contribute to a future generation free from such health risks.
Anastacia’s dedication to being a care champion stems from her deep love for the youth. She aims to steer them away from distractions and guide them toward making choices that will lead to a successful and fulfilling future. Drawing from her past roles as a youth chairperson, Sunday school youth teacher, and assistant pharmacist at Hartbeespoort Pharmacy, Anastacia brings a wealth of experience to her current role.
Her journey as a pharmacist revealed a concerning pattern, with young girls frequently seeking morning-after pills. Recognising the lack of information on preventive measures, Anastacia decided to address this gap by becoming a learner support agent with Show Me Your Number in 2019. Her commitment and passion led to her promotion as a care champion in the previous year.
Anastacia cherishes the positive relationships she has built with students, facilitating open communication and creating a support group called Lerothodi Young Angels. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the physical interaction essential to their services, Anastacia remains optimistic, asserting that they are better prepared for similar situations in the future with enhanced prevention measures in place.
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