International Organization for Migration (IOM) has honoured the Hoedspruit Training Trust (HTT) for their outstanding contribution towards improving the lives of farm workers and mobile populations in Hoedspruit. IOM has been funding Hlokomela programme; an initiative aimed at reducing the HIV/AIDS prevalence and the impact of AIDS among commercial workers and their families through an integrated programme of prevention, treatment and care.

During the World AIDS Day commemoration event held at the Bavaria Estates in Hoedspruit, IOM presented a plaque to HTT in recognition of the work done through the Hlokomela project.  The plaque also symbolizes an inspiration for HTT to keep steadfast in the work to come in efforts to reducing health vulnerabilities.

Speaking at the event, Julia Hill-Mlati, IOM’s Regional Programme Specialist on Migration Sensitive Health Services, drew a picture of the 10 year journey that IOM has worked with HTT.

“When we first came to Hoedspruit over 10 years ago, we met Christine and saw at first-hand how migration and mobility impacted on the lives of all who lived here. Hoedspruit has grown and developed over the past 10 years and with that the need to address the health challenges of a community on the move”, said Julia.

HTT is one of the many projects supported by the IOM through funding from its partners.  “With support of Swedish Sida and the USAID/PEPFAR programme we are proud to have been able to contribute to Hloklomela’s success”, added Julia.  

The commercial agricultural sector is disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic due to several factors including high mobility due to the seasonal nature of the industry, lack of access to health services and social isolation leading to poor health seeking behaviour. The study done by IOM in 2010 showed a higher prevalence of HIV amongst farm workers compared to their respective district prevalence. Almost 40% of the farm workers who participated in the study were HIV positive. This was reported to be the highest published level among an employed population in the SADC region. This shows the seriousness of the epidemic in this sector.

https://www.facebook.com/iomsouthafrica/posts/10154343710278998

https://www.facebook.com/iomsouthafrica/posts/10154343720473998