SUMMARY:

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) project aims to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS

by focusing on preventing transmission of HIV for teachers, their workplace community, and caring for

orphans and vulnerable children in the workplace. SADTU has existing national and provincial partnerships

with the Department of Education and was a member of the team that developed the National Strategic plan

with the Department of Health. SADTU has also established relationships with other HIV and AIDS

organizations around the country. This will ensure sustainability of program after PEPFAR funding. The

target population for these activities is teachers, their workplace community and primary and secondary

school learners.

BACKGROUND:

The HIV pandemic has created workplace environments that are not conducive to quality teaching and

learning for both educators and learners alike. Many schools have orphans and vulnerable children who

lack basic needs and therefore cannot perform optimally at school. Teachers often have to take care of

these situations themselves. Although some schools do have soup kitchens and food parcels for these

children, this does not address the learners psychosocial needs.

The school as a workplace is often plagued by high levels of stigma. This often results in educators

suffering silently and becoming victims of the pandemic despite high perceptions of knowledge of HIV and

AIDS. As a result many educators do not have the courage and support in the workplace to go for voluntary

counseling and testing, since knowing your status is not publicly encouraged. Consequently most

educators discover they are HIV positive when they start showing symptomatic illnesses that do not

respond to medications. By this time their CD4 counts are usually low and they can no longer function

optimally at their schools with compromised health. SADTU aims to address this by creating an caring

workplace environment for both learners and educators alike and focusing on HIV prevention and

increasing access to care and treatment services.

ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS:

Activity 1: Training union leaders as peer educators in the workplace

The SADTU workplace program will seek to sustain peer education for teachers using union leaders, who

already have positive influence and recognition amongst educators and good standing with senior

management. IEC materials focusing on prevention, knowledge of HIV and AIDS, PMTCT and human

rights will be used to ensure that the peer educators can implement activities after the initial training. The

focus of the prevention messages will be a comprehensive ABC approach with a focus on the be faithful

message. SADTU will work, through the trained peer educators to increase community involvement, and

increase male involvement and awareness around HIV prevention, PMTCT, the role of male norms and

behaviors in HIV transmission. In addition, through community involvement activities, SADTU will ensure

the distribution of IEC materials to educators and communities.

Activity 2: Increase access in local languages to HIV and AIDS prevention knowledge

The SADTU workplace teachers program will target educators and learners through age and gender

appropriate group activities and community mobilization to increase knowledge around HIV and AIDS

prevention. The program will focus on addressing gender by reducing violence and coercion, and

addressing male norms and behaviors. In addition community mobilization activities will focus on the

reduction of stigma and discrimination by increasing knowledge around HIV and running community

activities that focus on stigma reduction.

Activity 3: Implement HIV prevention activities for learners

As part of their OVC program, SADTU will integrate HIV prevention messages building on the existing

school life skills program. The focus of these messages will be on AB. These messages will be carried out

by both youth peer educators and teachers.

These activities contribute to the PEPFAR 2-7-10 goals and objectives by increasing knowledge of HIV

transmission and the prevention of new infections.

SUMMARY:

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) project aims to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS

by focusing on preventing transmission of HIV for teachers and, their workplace community. This includes

both a comprehensive ABC prevention program through peer education but also improve condom

distribution at SADTU regional and branch offices.

BACKGROUND:

The HIV and AIDS pandemic has created workplace environments that are not conducive to quality

teaching and learning for both educators and learners alike. The school as a workplace is plagued by high

levels of stigma. This often results in educators suffering silently and becoming victims of the pandemic

despite high perceptions of knowledge of HIV and AIDS. As a result many educators do not have the

courage and support in the workplace to go for voluntary counseling and testing, since knowing your status

is not publicly encouraged. Consequently most educators discover they are HIV positive when they start

showing symptomatic illnesses that do not respond to medications. By this time their CD4 counts are

usually low and they can no longer function optimally at their schools with compromised health. The

SADTU project aims to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS by creating an caring workplace environment for

both learners and educators alike and focusing on preventing transmission of HIV for teachers and caring

for orphans and vulnerable children in the workplace. The target group for these activities is teachers.

ACTIVITIES and EXPECTED RESULTS:

Activity 1: Condom distribution

The SADTU workplace project will distribute male and female condoms to at least 500 regional and branch

offices. In addition as functioning as condom distribution points, each of the sites will provide educational

materials on HIV prevention including correct and consistent condom usage. The sites are easily

accessible and are frequently visited by teachers. IEC materials on correct and consistent condom usage

will be available in all relevant languages. SADTU will work with relevant government departments to obtain

free condoms.

Activity 2: Community Involvement

SADTU will work with trained peer educators to increase community involvement, and increase male

involvement and awareness around HIV prevention, PMTCT, the role of male norms and behaviours in HIV

transmission. In addition, through community involvement activities, such as sports and culture events,

municipal imbizos, Department of Education campaigns, youth conferences, road shows in schools and

community etc. SADTU will ensure the distribution of IEC materials to educators and communities.

The targets for the number of people reached through the comprehensive peer education program are

counted under AB.

This project contributes to PEPFAR 2-7-10 goals and objectives by ensuring access to male and female

condoms hence preventing new HIV infections.

SUMMARY:

South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) workplace program aims to provide support to 50

eligible orphans and vulnerable children in two schools per SADTU region out 17 regions in the three

provinces, NW, FS, GP.

BACKGROUND:

The HIV and AIDS pandemic has created workplace environments that are not conducive to quality

teaching and learning for both educators and learners alike. The SADTU project aims to reduce the impact

of HIV and AIDS by focusing on preventing transmission of HIV for teachers and caring for orphans and

vulnerable children (OVC) in the workplace.

ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS:

Activity 1: Establish school-based care and support for OVCs

In collaboration wit the Department of Social Development (DSD), the South African Social Security Agency

and the Department of Education, SADTU will work with schools to identify OVC and establish school-

based care and support centers to support these children. School-based interventions will be established in

two schools in each of the seventeen regions with FY 2007 funds. SADTU will ensure that OVC are

registered with the DSD. SADTU will work with each school to identify and prioritize the needs of OVC. This

could include, but is not limited to, paying school fees in schools that require this, supplying them with

school uniforms, educational necessities not provided for, community gardens, and ensuring OVC have

access to social services through the DSD. They will also build upon existing life skills programs to ensure

that HIV prevention messages are integrated into the OVC program.

Activity 2:

SADTU will train 1 caregiver per school in the 34 identified OVC schools….

Children's rights, first aid including universal precautions, HIV Transmission & prevention; positive living; life

skills; substance abuse, violence including sexual abuse, sexuality, study skills. Entrepreneurship skills,

health and hygiene.

Activity 3:

SADTU will establish a further 10 peer education support groups in regions to bring the number to 20.

These will be organized for PLWA and/affected individuals to promote positive living, care and treatment

access thus further reducing HIV transmission. Monthly meetings will be facilitated by the PE facilitators

and AIDS ambassadors.

These activities contribute to the PEPFAR 2-7-10 goals and objectives by ensuring that OVCs are identified

within schools and services are provided to them.

SUMMARY:

South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) will expand counseling and testing services for

teachers, learners and their workplace community in three provinces and refer them for care and treatments

services.

BACKGROUND:

The HIV and AIDS pandemic has created workplace environments that are not conducive to quality

teaching and learning for both educators and learners alike. The school as a workplace is plagued by high

levels of stigma. This often results in educators suffering silently and becoming victims of the pandemic

despite high perceptions of knowledge of HIV and AIDS. As a result many educators do not have the

courage and support in the workplace to go for voluntary counseling and testing, since knowing your status

is not publicly encouraged. Consequently most educators discover they are HIV positive when they start

showing symptomatic illnesses that do not respond to medications. By this time their CD4 counts are

usually low and they can no longer function optimally at their schools with compromised health. The

SADTU project aims to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS by focusing on preventing transmission of HIV

for teachers and caring for orphans and vulnerable children in the workplace. The SADTU will implement

routine access to VCT services in its events making it possible for union members to participate in VCT

without having to go to clinics or health centers. Partnerships are already in place with local public clinics

and mobile clinics. Any union member testing positive will be referred to the partner health facility for

treatment, care and support services. At each of the health facilities the SADTU project will support 2

additional community health workers trained in local languages to assist in fast tracking union members who

have been identified as HIV positive at union events.

ACTIVITITES AND EXPECTED RESULTS:

Activity 1: Training of community health workers

17 community health care workers will be trained as lay counselors for VCT. They will be placed at partner

clinics in each of the three provinces. They will also offer VCT at union events and those who test positive

will be referred to treatment, care and support services at the referral clinics. Pregnant women will be

referred for PMTCT.

Activity 2: Workplace counseling and testing

At any SADTU event taking place, union members will have the opportunity to access VCT. VCT will be

conducted using the national protocol for testing. Community health care workers will be trained to conduct

VCT, and make appropriate referrals to treatment, care and support services. In order to ensure that

referrals are made, SADTU has established partnerships with health facilities in each of the districts/regions

where SADTU activities will take place.

Activity 3: AIDS Ambassadors

The SADTU project subscribes to the "greater involvement of people with AIDS" principle. As a result the

project supports people living with HIV to engage in project planning of union events and the participation in

HIV testing campaigns. These AIDS Ambassadors have a great impact on union events, including on

workshops aimed at encouraging union members to participate in VCT.

The SADTU project contributes to the PEPFAR 2-7-10 goals and objectives by encouraging educators and

union members to participate in VCT activities being conducted at union events. This ensures that more

union members are aware of their HIV status early, and can be referred to treatment, care and support

services timely.

SUMMARY:

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) workplace program aims to work with provincial,

regional and branch structures in three provinces to strengthen HIV prevention and increase access to care

and treatment for teachers, their communities and learners.

BACKGROUND:

The HIV and AIDS pandemic has created workplace environments that are not conducive to quality

teaching and learning for both educators and learners alike. The school as a workplace is plagued by high

levels of stigma. This often results in educators suffering silently and becoming victims of the pandemic

despite high perceptions of knowledge of HIV and AIDS. As a result many educators do not have the

courage and support in the workplace to go for voluntary counseling and testing, since knowing your status

is not publicly encouraged. Consequently most educators discover they are HIV positive when they start

showing symptomatic illnesses that do not respond to medications. By this time their CD4 counts are

usually low and they can no longer function optimally at their schools with compromised health. The

SADTU project aims to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS by focusing on preventing transmission of HIV

for teachers and caring for orphans and vulnerable children in the workplace. SADTU has existing national

and provincial partnerships with the Department of Education and was a member of the team that

developed the National Strategic plan with the Department of Health. SADTU has also established

relationships with other HIV and AIDS organizations around the country. This will ensure sustainability of

program after PEPFAR funding. The target population for these activities is teachers, their communities

and primary and secondary school learners who they are in contact with.

ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS:

ACTIVITY 1: Strengthening Policy Development and Implementation

Technical support, training and financial support will be provided to strengthen the capacity of the trade

union movement to participate in the development of public policies and policies within the union structures

and at the workplace, in this case, within schools. Technical support and training will be provided via

workshops on ways senior school management, employers, senior union leadership and co-workers can

mainstream HIV and AIDS issues into routine workplace activities. Support will also be provided to develop

workplace policies and strategies on HIV and AIDS.

ACTIVITY 2: Capacity Building and Mentorship Program

PEPFAR funds will be used to train and establish a mentorship program for a large number of peer

educators, within the union. These peer educators will be provided with technical assistance to conduct HIV

and AIDS prevention education programs for fellow educators, and community members. Peer educators

will be responsible for the following key HIV and AIDS prevention efforts: 1) develop strategies to increase

awareness of HIV and AIDS, sexual transmitted infection and tuberculosis among union members; 2)

increase the involvement of unions in the development, implementation and monitoring of HIV and AIDS

workplace policies and programs.; 3) increase the involvement of men in HIV prevention efforts (male

norms and behaviors, key legislative issue) and in efforts to combat violence against women (reducing

violence and coercion, key legislative issue); and 4) develop strategies to reduce stigma and discrimination

(key legislative issues) against HIV-infected members in the workplace; and finally, 5) develop strategies to

promote healthy lifestyles and the adoption of risk reduction behaviors among union members.

Providing effective prevention messages and leadership education to employer associations, business,

worker representatives and union members in a cross-section of South African industry will contribute to

PEPFAR's goal of preventing 7 million new infections. The activities described here will also support the

prevention objectives identified in the USG Five-Year Strategy for South Africa.