With the opening of the LoveLife Prevention Centre for young people in South Africa the BMW Group is continuing to extend its socio-political activities in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. A joint project of the partners LoveLife Trust and BMW Group, the centre opened on 8 November 2007 in Knysna, South Africa.
The community of Knysna is situated on the Garden Route amidst one of the tourist centres of the country. Educational and leisure facilities for local young people hardly exist in this region. This lack is addressed by the so called LoveLife Y-centre (Youth Centre). The Centre offers leisure activities as well as a health programme designed for young people with the emphasis on HIV/AIDS prevention. "The lack of education and leisure opportunities and the HIV infection rate among young people are closely linked", says Konstanze Carreras, who is in charge of Social Responsibility at the BMW Group.
The programmes of LoveLife are organised throughout South Africa by national youth assistance volunteers, so-called "groundBREAKERS". In Knysna Michael Nogwaza (22) will be one of the groundbreakers: "The new LoveLife Y-Centre offers a chance for young people to discover and develop their talents", Nogwaza says.
The BMW Group has been involved for many years in the fight against HIV/AIDS particularly in South Africa. As the sponsoring of the LoveLife Y-Centre shows, the commitment of the BMW Group extends far beyond the closely defined groups of its own associates, dealers and suppliers. Dr David Harrison, CEO of the LoveLife Trust explains: "This investment is a clear expression of the confidence of the BMW Group in the future of South African youth."
The community of Knysna is situated on the Garden Route amidst one of the tourist centres of the country. Educational and leisure facilities for local young people hardly exist in this region. This lack is addressed by the so called LoveLife Y-centre (Youth Centre). The Centre offers leisure activities as well as a health programme designed for young people with the emphasis on HIV/AIDS prevention. "The lack of education and leisure opportunities and the HIV infection rate among young people are closely linked", says Konstanze Carreras, who is in charge of Social Responsibility at the BMW Group.
The programmes of LoveLife are organised throughout South Africa by national youth assistance volunteers, so-called "groundBREAKERS". In Knysna Michael Nogwaza (22) will be one of the groundbreakers: "The new LoveLife Y-Centre offers a chance for young people to discover and develop their talents", Nogwaza says.
The BMW Group has been involved for many years in the fight against HIV/AIDS particularly in South Africa. As the sponsoring of the LoveLife Y-Centre shows, the commitment of the BMW Group extends far beyond the closely defined groups of its own associates, dealers and suppliers. Dr David Harrison, CEO of the LoveLife Trust explains: "This investment is a clear expression of the confidence of the BMW Group in the future of South African youth."
