DFL’s Workplace AIDS Project (WAP) attempts to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS on the economy of a country by promoting sound values among the workforce. The knowledge, attitude and sexual practises of these workers are challenged by peer educators. These are leaders chosen by the workers themselves and then trained by DFL.

Following the successes of previous WAP projects at Freegold in the Freestate and Eskom in the Western Cape, the demand for DFL’s unique approach to AIDS prevention is steadily growing with invitations ranging from steel and oil companies in Kazakhstan to the South African Ports Authority in South Africa.

Presently, the implementation of the project is running into its second year at the Sundays River Citrus Company (SRCC) in the Eastern Cape. The two week training course of a further 22 peer leaders took place from to April 2006. Workers embarked on a journey of self-discovery as they were confronted with the reality of AIDS, faced up to their own risk-category, heard from fellow workers how they are perceived, surpassed their long-held and self-imposed limitations to public speaking, battled through countless practical leadership exercises and ultimately, challenged by the subtle but powerful force of peer pressure to embrace a new set of values that can change “The Valley”.

The group of SRCC workers trained in April 2006

During 2005 many SRCC workers were positively impacted by the DFL WAP project. The dominant trade unions reversed their stance on HIV testing and requested DFL to offer a Voluntary, Counselling and Testing service at the various SRCC pack houses. International publications point to VCT as being one of the most powerful forces that initiates positive behaviour change. Shebeens (illegal liquor stores) were closed down and some workers apologised publicly for their previous behaviour! Some workers reported a spiritual awakening!

The success of 2005 motivated the SRCC management to strive towards “best practice” status and to take the DFL & SRCC partnership into its second year despite a lack of external funding. Once again tears flowed as some workers decided to disclose their HIV status, announced their new convictions to change their private and public lives, apologised to management for unhappy incidents of the past and brought back happy reports of being re-united with their families! One Peer Educator stated: “I discovered myself and was re-united with my family”!

DFL believes that the prevention of AIDS in the workplace rests in a return to cultural and universally–held principles that include abstinence and faithfulness. Knowledge of AIDS should be stored in a “basket of values” for it to be of any use in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the Workplace.

Fun in the Sun - Learning leadership principles through practical exercises

Welcome, who reported a major turn-around in his life because of DFL’s Peer Educator’s Course

Joyce, veteran Peer Educator from the 2005 training, came to support the “new recruits”!