THE COMMENDED PROGRAM

ALAFA is a unique partnership. It combines the resources and knowledge of major multinational corporations, community-based organizations and government to bring HIV/AIDS services to apparel workers in Lesotho.

This innovative and effective public-private partnership has brought comprehensive HIV/AIDS workplace programs to almost the entire industry in Lesotho, rolling services out to over 30 factories in a two-year period. The majority of the target workforce now has access to prevention and treatment services and are choosing to use the services. Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) uptake is at 60 percent in some factories, despite significant stigma around HIV testing.

Buyer representatives encourage factories to fully implement the ALAFA model. Factory participation is further promoted through labor union organizers and HIV coordinators designated within each factory. ALAFA's success is largely attributed to the sustained commitment by managers and buyers, the adequate financing available to help bridge gaps in interventions, and the presence of primary healthcare services in the workplace.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

Industry- and Region-Specific Standardization
The ALAFA model took best practices from HIV/AIDS workplace interventions in the region and created a standardized approach that could be broadly applied to all apparel manufacturers in Lesotho. That standardization is attractive to small and medium enterprises, which oftentimes don't have the resources to create an HIV/AIDS program on their own.

A Structured and Coherent Partnership Model
ALAFA creates a broadly-applicable model that coordinates multiple partners coherently-allowing for each partner to maximize the value of their contribution. Partners include: the Ministry of Health (VCT, adherence counseling and training); Population Services International (condom distribution and VCT); Catholic Relief Services (urban food gardens); Bookwise (medical monitoring); Insight Strategies (curriculum development); Bohlale (training of peer educators) and Khanye (theatre productions).