“[Globally] more than 2 million adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years are living with HIV, and many do not receive the care and support that they need to stay in good health and prevent transmission.” World Health Orgnisation (WHO) 01, Decmeber, 2013.

In a country with the highest rate of HIV infection, we should all be doing our part, this World AIDS day to highlight the cause. We urge you to make a statement by wearing the change you want to see, all year round, rather than taking just one day out of the year to show your support.

Relate bracelets are the perfect way to connect you to your support of the fight against HIV/AIDS. With bracelets for Paediatric AIDS Treatment for Africa (PATA), sold through YDE; and bracelets in support of Ikamva Labntu’s AIDS Education Project, sold through Old Khaki stores, you can wear the change you want to see 365 days a year. Sold at R35 a piece, the proceeds of each PATA bracelet go towards the improvement of the quality and accessibility of healthcare, for children across Sub-Saharan Africa who are living with HIV/AIDS. While Relate bracelets in support of Ikamva Labantu’s AIDS Education Project raise funds to host community workshops, which support local sufferers’ physical wellbeing, as well as reducing the mental trauma that sufferers endure.

You can wear your Relate bracelets in a stack of 10 to make a statement or share them with friends and family to inspire more people to join the Relate movement for change. Each Relate bracelet comes with our signature ‘R’ bead, which is our mark of authenticity and way of saying that we are 100% committed to accountability and transparency.

In addition to supporting PATA or Ikamva Labantu with your purchase of Relate bracelets, a portion of the proceeds goes towards earning and upskilling opportunities for our local bracelet-makers, as well as enterprise development initiatives in South Africa.

Our beaders are a group of elderly township-dwellers, for whom the activity of beading bracelets at their local club, provides an opportunity to connect with others, and gives them a sense of dignity and purpose. Most support entire families, including AIDS-orphaned grandchildren. And our finishers are young adults who have their whole lives ahead of them and simply need an opportunity. A portion of bracelet proceeds is invested into enabling them to learn new skills and grow in confidence so that, in time, they can move beyond Relate to achieve their personal career goals.

As you can now see, with each Relate PATA and Ikamva Labantu AIDS Education bracelets, you will be supporting more than one cause this World AIDS Day!