Project synthesis

The Philani Centres, a non-governmental organisation based in destitute informal settlement of Cape Town, was established in 1979 at the request of communities by women health workers in the area. Their mission was to meet the need to support and care for malnourished children and their mothers, and work in close cooperation with the government's health care system and as a support structure to state clinics. Philani's specific undertaking for this project is to use its access to and credibility within its target communities to fight HIV/AIDS through the empowerment of women, education of men, and care of children affected by or infected with the virus.

Strategy/Objectives

The first objective of Philani is provide skills training opportunities for women affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, making them economically independent. The second objective is to restore independence, self confidence, motivation and self worth in people through, training education about HIV/AIDS, health and nutrition, in order for them to be able to decide over their own lives as an important HIV/AIDS prevention strategy. This would create supportive and caring community in order to give hope and encouragement to persons living under very difficult circumstances.

Target group

Philani Project has through child health; nutrition and outreach programmes form its seven centres and have close contact with 200 families with young children. More than 6% of them are single female-headed households. The central beneficiaries include 500 underweight children and women living with HIV/AIDS who receive counselling, nutrition and medical support. About 200 women participate in the skills training and income generating programs.

Activities and Expected Results

Philani's HIV/AIDS program consists of information and education, skills training for women's economic empowerment, care of women and children at the Philani Centres, support for women and families looking after AIDS orphans in the community, and training of health volunteers to care for people living with AIDS. The project plans to achieve the following outcomes:
· Seventy women trained on silk screening, weaving, beadwork and papermaking.
· Literacy training at seven venues conducted for 75 women.
· Fifty volunteers trained to work as home carers for people living with HIV/AIDS.
· HIV/AIDS information and education workshops conducted once every second week at six Nutrition Rehabilitation and the Development Centres, with outreach awareness workshops focusing on men/partners in six communities twice a month

Partner

Philani collaborates with state institutions and non-governmental organisations. Philani is a member of the National progressive primary Health Care Network, an umbrella organisation for state and NGO institutions working in the field of Primary Health Care. Philani also co-operates with the Cape Metropolitan Health Centres.

Project duration

The will run over a period of fourteen months - September 2003 to December 2004.  Funding Philani was SDC's partner during the apartheid era (through Swiss NGOs), with subsequent small contributions from 1995. Funding for this phase is R1 million

Geographical area

Philani operates seven centres in the informal settlements of Khayelitsha, Crossroads, and Brown's Farm on the outskirts of Cape Town.

Contact address

Philani Centres
P O Box 40188
Elonwabeni
Cape Town
7791
Tel: 021 387 5124
Fax: 021 387 5107
Email:  philani@telkomsa.net