Farm Workers Care for Each Other Project

The programme aims to reduce the HIV vulnerability of these workers through a peer education model, media advocacy and general support in the home and workplace. Certain farm workers are nominated by the community and trained and mentored as carers called Nompilos (Zulu word meaning ‘mothers of life’).

Nomphilos are integral to the facilitating of the various programmes that are run at the farms that include five programme components. Firstly, the project works with farm management to assist in developing HIV/ AIDS workplace policies to encourage non-discriminatory labour practices and provide practical support to HIV positive farm workers. They also offer a comprehensive participatory peer education model surrounding healthy lifestyle practices through support groups, where free condoms are distributed and referrals are made for VCT and other health services. This includes a gender intervention programme that targets men and provides training in aspects of power and masculinity to address issues like gender-based violence, transactional sex and poor health behavior.

Primary health care is further conducted by food parcel distribution and basic home-based care provision. They facilitate integrated social change communication by developing materials like billboards, DVDs and pamphlets in Sepedi and Xitsonga for the Nomphilos to use in their awareness campaigns and public community events.

Lastly, a programme for recreational activities is provided in order to improve the quality of life for the farm workers. Their strong partnerships with the Provincial Department of Health, the SAPS and other NGOs help in supporting these programmes. Choice Trust trains the Nomphilos, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is their primary funder, Sibambene Development Communications and the Sonke Gender Justice Project assist with the social change communication and gender intervention programme. The Hoedspruit, Oaks and Rixile Wellness Clinics support the health services for the project. Local churches and the Maruleng Municipality also play a part in the advocacy and local buy in from the community.

Innovation

The Farmers Care for Each Other Project is an evidence-based programme that responds precisely to local conditions by employing Nomphilos from the targeted communities. Such an approach is key to effectively addressing the particular vulnerabilities of farm and migrant workers in South Africa. They also target men and provide training and mentoring of male role models.

Effectiveness

The project is run on 28 farms in the Hoedspruit area and an estimated 6000 people are reached through its activities. Up to five Nomphilos are located at each farm that reach up to 68 people in their support groups programme. Their recreational programme includes 16 soccer teams, choirs and traditional dancing groups. The last public event they had was in aid of the farm workers’ children and 309 participated in the event.

Poverty Impact

They are currently creating employment for 26 farm community members. These Nomphilos are paid a salary by the Provincial Department of Health and the project supplements this with R500.

Sustainability

The current project funding is secured for three years. The IOM donates   R1 087 000, the Department of Health in partnership with the EU sponsors the stipends for the carers with R333 000. The Hoedspruit farmers and farm workers donate R300 000 and Right To Care gives R600 000.Together that covers an annual budget of over R2 million. The project does not always cover all their costs and thus a financial sustainability strategy has become a priority for them. 

Replication

This project can be replicated in the various farming communities because of HIV/ AIDS having an adverse impact on the commercial agricultural sector in South Africa

Partnerships

• IOM
• Hoedspruit Training Trust
• Department of Health in partnership with the EU
• Right To Care
• Choice Trust
• Sibambene Development Communications
• Sonke Gender Justice Project
• Hoedspruit, The Oaks and Rixile Wellness Clinics
• SAPS
• Local Church Groups
• Hoedspruit Farmers and Farm Workers

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