A Success Story: The Etafeni Trust Fit for - SAfAIDS

6.6 Learning Through Reflection and Focus on Sustainability
To ensure that the programme evolves and develops in a constantly responsive
manner, to match dynamics and trends in the community, analysis of the programme
and reflections are done by the Trust and programme implementers on a regular
basis. In 2008 an external evaluation was done of the current programme operations,
its success factors as well as key challenges perceived. Data was collected among
three different respondent groups - programme staff, graduate learners and
potential employer companies. Evaluations of the Nyanga, Vrygrond and Nwamitwa
programmes will be conducted again in May and June 2011.
To ensure that consistent learning and reflection is taking place, that it is participatory
and remains conginisant of community needs and trends as they evolve, the Trust
holds consultative meetings with beneficiaries to reflect on what works or not, and to
suggest what should happen the following year. A strategic workplan is produced in
consultation with stakeholders once a year.
What has contributed to the programme’s sustainability?
• Ownership secured: Ownership of the programme by the Nyanga
community and those who complete the programme is very apparent.
• Partnerships developed: The partnerships developed with Departments
of Youth, Health and Labour are crucial to enabling sustained programme
rollout and these links will consistently inform the programme dynamics
to remain abreast with the national direction and directives around SRH,
economic empowerment and youth development.
• Referral system synergies: The referral systems and partners made
in the community relating to HIV and other issues further strengthen
the programme, and contribute to success as they link into the broader
continuum of care in the community.
• Multi-skilled staff support to programme: The complement of skilled
staff with different skills supports the different elements of the programme
and contributes to its sustainability and effectiveness. Having engaged
technical expertise to guide in key programming areas such as review of
the curriculum of training; monitoring and evaluation systems building;
fund-raising and business network development to consolidate the graduate
placement initiatives allows for spaces to reflect and learn on progress
made and how to improve programming approaches.
• Targeted marketing approach: Initially the lack of systematic advertising
of the training programme gradually saw the organisation attracting less
suitable candidates. Following the reflection phase, efforts were redressed
to attract the most suitable candidates. Etafeni produced a brochure which
was placed as an advert in the community newspaper in July 2009. This
improved the quality of potential learners (the questionnaire used to recruit
asks where the candidates heard about the programme) for a few months,
before the same issues arose again.
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