SWABCHA has partnered with the National Emergency Response Committee on HIV- AIDS (NERCHA) to mitigate the HIV pandemic in the private sector. SWABCHA organized a World AIDS Day Commemoration event for the workplace this year with support from the Regional Multi-Sectoral HIV-AIDS Coordinating Committee (REMSHACC).
On this event, companies were invited to bring their peer educators and a representative from management (including HIV-AIDS Focal person) to an open day to
• Commemorate the World AIDS Day
• Experiences and lesson sharing from each other
• Appreciate the work that has been done so far in the workplace programs
• Meet and get to know each other
The Shiselweni region private sector World AIDS Campaign was held at the Nhlangano Casino on the 27th of November 2009. A total of 10 people were present on the day and the other invited ones did not show up. The event was co-funded by REMSHACC Shiselweni and SWABCHA. The six companies that were present are;
1. Pep Stores
2. NASTIC
3. Nhlangano
4. T. Junction Filling Station
5. Business Community
6. R.Q Contractors
The welcome remarks were made by the Nhlangano Town Council clerk, Mr. Justice Qwabe. In his remarks, he acknowledged the efforts these participants have made to attend this important event irregardless of their busy schedules let alone that they had a meeting in the past week and needed to be at their businesses. He encouraged peer educators to take the HIV issue seriously as it is a burden to the Shiselweni region and should make use of the HIV implementers as their endeavor is to assist the people of this region to fight the HIV endemic and their responsibility is to take the lead in the fight of the HIV endemic. He stated that the town council is aware of the efforts these companies are doing but encouraged them to commit themselves to curb the spread of the disease.
The General Manager of the Nhlangano Sun, Mr. Safton Crammer on his welcome notes also encouraged the business sector to take the HIV issue seriously and everyone must be committed at a personal level.
He urged participants as they are parents not to ignore the fact that school children engage in sexual activities therefore must educate their children about sex to prevent them from accessing wrong information from their peers because they may want to practice what they have heard from their peers which could also be a drive in the spread of HIV. He said his company has not yet established the employee’s wellness program but he is compelled by the effects of the HIV endemic on his employees to get it started soon.
None the less he is supporting HIV prevention strategies in the company such as ensuring that there are consistent condoms supplies in every room in the hotel room and toilets for easy access of condoms by the clients and employees.
After these welcome remarks Jabu Dlamini a peer educator from Nhlangano Town Council, encouraged peer educators to not only take care of the peers at their own workplaces but encouraged them to take care of their make use of every client they reach.
She commended the commitment the council has shown in supporting the wellness programs at this particular workplace as they also take care and support HIV infected and affected individuals both at the company and also and to their clients. She further encouraged companies who have not established these programs to do so as it has worked for them in terms of attained a healthy and productive workforce.
Another business owner from R.Q Contracts acknowledged the commitment that SWABCHA has shown in imparting knowledge to all companies from both the informal and formal sector. He said much as he has not yet developed a formal wellness program but they also conduct sessions that will assist employees to adapt to a healthy lifestyle whether with a negative or a positive HIV status.
A salon owner, Mr Gamedze encouraged peer educators to continue with the good work that SWABCHA is doing in the fight on HIV and AIDS especially to the marginalized population.
After tea break,
An open discussion commenced where peer educators shared their experiences was commenced and issues of concern included;
• The dependency attitudes of the clients where they always want peer educators to do thing for them
• The use of methylated spirit as a disinfectant and some clients still hold the belief that it destroys the HIV.
Recommendations made to SWABCHA included;
• SWABCHA to visit their company to assist them to establish the employee’s wellness program.
• To offer incentives to the peer educators to motivate them to do their work not necessarily money.
• To tirelessly conduct such events to empower and motivate peer educators
|
