B the Future cellbook - an information booklet on HIV and AIDS on your cellphone

The B the Future cellbook is a product of the Metropolitan Foundation and is supported by SANAC.

What is SANAC and what are its objectives?
SANAC or the South African National AIDS Council is the highest national body that is responsible for guiding the implementation of the HIV and AIDS and STI Strategic Plan for South Africa, 2007 – 2011 (NSP) and for monitoring the sector programmes.
The objectives of SANAC are to:
* Advise government on HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STI) policy and strategy, and related matters.
* Create and strengthen partnerships for an expanded national response to HIV and AIDS in South Africa.
* Coordinate all HIV and AIDS interventions and consider challenges.
* Oversee continual monitoring and evaluation of all aspects of the NSP.

What is the Metropolitan Foundation and what are its objectives?
The Metropolitan Foundation is an independently operated and managed public benefit organization focussed on health and education issues in Southern Africa. The Metropolitan Foundation aims to use the Live the Future scenario model to provide leadership, inspire action and invest in projects that will enhance the South African response to health care and educational needs. Visit our website at www.metropolitanfoundation.org.za for more information.

The Live the Future scenarios – stories about the future
* People need hope and hope is created by a picture of a successful future South Africa where everybody can live a happy and long life. The Metropolitan Foundation aims to paint this picture by creating the four different scenarios (stories) of the Live the Future model.
* Each of the Live the Future scenarios, creates a different picture of what a future South Africa might look like depending on how we respond to HIV and AIDS.
* The Metropolitan Foundation uses the Live the Future scenarios to help companies and communities realise what their future will look like if they behave in certain ways.
* When we see a bleak, hopeless future for our children filled with death and despair, we realise that we need to act to change the effects of HIV and AIDS – the Winter of Discontent scenario.
* When we see a bright future for our children filled with health and wealth, we feel inspired and want to work towards that future. The Summer for All People scenario shows us a picture of a South Africa where we work together to beat HIV and AIDS. This is the only scenario where people really concentrate on prevention and take responsibility for their own health. In the Summer scenario leaders work together to beat HIV and AIDS.
* There are also other scenarios. The Autumn of Limited Opportunity is a scenario where money and power are in the hands of a few and although many people are treated for AIDS, many more become infected. The Spring of Hope scenario is a scenario where people work together with little resources to beat HIV and AIDS.
* There are many powerful actions we can take to reach the Summer for All People scenario. Read more about these interesting Live the Future stories and the actions we can take to make them happen on www.livethefuture.co.za.

Live the Future and the National Strategic Plan
The Metropolitan Foundation is using the Live the Future scenarios to help government, business and the communities implement the HIV and AIDS and STI Strategic Plan for South Africa, 2007 – 2011 (NSP). The Live the Future video for business called “work the future”, clearly explains the four priority areas of the NSP. It also talks about what South Africa will look like under each scenario depending on how successful we are in implementing the plan. To receive a free copy of this video, contact us on info@livethefuture.co.za.
The goals of the NSP are to:
* Half the number of new HIV infections every year by 2011 and to
* Provide treatment, care and support to 80% of those in need by 2011.

The B the Future cellbook
Brought to you by the Metropolitan Foundation, the B the Future cellbook is designed to encourage South Africans to know their HIV status and take responsibility for managing their health. If you are reading this you are one of those South Africans! Tell as many people as you can about this quick and easy way to learn about how to live a long and healthy live! They must simply:
SMS HIV to 37503 to download South Africa's first HIV and AIDS information book direct to a cellphone! Or visit the mobile site on btf.co.za.
The B the Future cellbook only costs R1 to pay for network fees and around 35 cents to pay for the download onto your phone. The Metropolitan Foundation has sponsored the content and creation of the new technology. The Metropolitan Foundation is not in any way profiting from the distribution of the B the Future cellbook. This innovative technology has been developed by a company called cellBook. For more information the cellbook technology contact cellBook on 0762459459 or email: support@cellbook.co.za.
With the B the Future cellbook, the Metropolitan Foundation would like to provide quick and easy access to information on HIV and AIDS to everyone in South Africa with a cellular phone. We hope that through education and access to information we can achieve the goals of the NSP to reduce new infections and treat and care for those who are infected.
* The cellbook will stay on your phone even if you do not have a network connection or airtime anymore.
* It is easy, quick and private.
* It typically takes little space (less than 300Kb) and you only need to download it once.
* It contains a lot of information on HIV and AIDS including how to prevent HIV infection, how to test for HIV, how to manage your positive status and where to obtain support and counselling.
If all South Africans have the B the Future cellbook installed on their cellular phones, they can:
* Prevent HIV infection
* Take personal responsibility for their sexual behaviour and health;
* Change their behaviour;
* Use condoms every time consistently and correctly;
* Remain faithful to one sexual partner
And then:
* South Africans will be aware of their status by 2010
* South Africans will test regularly for HIV
* We can avert millions of new HIV infections
* We can ensure treatment, care and support of those in need and
* We can achieve the Summer for All People.
Not all South Africans have easy and quick access to information on HIV and AIDS through the internet, private medical care and books. Now we can read all we need to know on our cellular phones! For more information on the B the Future cellbook go to www.livethefuture.co.za.
Is there a helpline to support my download of the B the Future cellbook?
Yes, the Metropolitan Foundation is sponsoring the support available through a call centre. Simply dial 0762459459 or email: support@cellbook.co.za.
For WAP Instructions you need to contact your network: Vodacom: call 111, MTN: call 173, Cell C: call 140, Virgin Mobile: 123
For further information and handset compatibility visit www.cellbook.co.za/handsets

How much does it cost?
For Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Virgin Mobile network users the B the Future cellbook costs R1 per SMS once off. Your phone needs to be WAP and GPRS enabled for downloading. Standard WAP and GPRS Network rates apply, which means that you will pay approximately 35c for the download.

Other Metropolitan Foundation initiatives
Also visit the Metropolitan Foundation Redribbon website with information on HIV and AIDS on www.redribbon.co.za. You can read about the Redribbon diary project in which 3 HIV positive people wrote their diaries on the internet. Here you can also read AIDS Analysis Africa Online (AAAO) which is an electronic newsletter containing excellent articles on HIV and AIDS.

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