Good day, and welcome to the first REACH update newsletter! We have decided that it is crucial for us as an organisation to establish and maintain a regular link with our important stakeholders, in order to keep all of you updated about how REACH is pogressing.It is for this reason that we are launching REACH - UPDATE. Also, we have found that email is the most efficient way of establishing an open dialogue with our stakeholders, because it allows for immediate feedback. We therefore welcome your feedback and suggestions regarding REACH and the work that we do.

On Saturday the 16th of August 2008 REACH held its 3rd annual S.A. Rural Women’s Day campaign in Swellendam which was attended by an overwhelming number of farm workers and their children from across the Overberg and Boland (i.e. Paarl, Grabouw, Villiersdorp,Worcester/Ceres,Swellendam, Suurbraak, Barrydale, Gansbaai, Buffelsbaai, Stanford and Kleinmond),as well as a variety of other guests.The event this year was done in partnership with local Swellendam crganizations A.C.V.V, Badisa, Help and Care for our Community,Community Development Workers, Hesekwa Skakelmaatskappy, Lovelife,Swellendam SAPS, Swellendam’s youth and sports forum and Grabouw’s Eye on the Child.

The theme was community violence and was chosen for two primary reasons: out of a request by farm workers from Swellendam at one of REACH’s awareness-raising workshops while also honouring REACH’s commitment made to this community at little Mikayla
Rossouw’s funeral last year. The campaign was aptly called called “Passport to Peace…stamp out community violence! The Journey begins with you.” The campaign focused on a 10 step plan to address community violence and commenced with a march through the town centre proceeding to a local community hall where guests were empowered through various moving and motivating speeches and entertained by various local drama, singing and dance groups. As tradition the campaign also featured the introduction of the yearly “Face of REACH” – a woman elected from REACH’s beneficiary farming community who exemplifies empowerment and triumph in the face of adversity. This was then followed by an awards ceremony where individuals were recognized for their efforts in empowering local communities and for their role in assisting victims of abuse and violence.

Another special initiative—organized due to the overwhelming number of children attending the event with their parents— was the children’s event complete with their own programme of educational talks, sports and various other fun activities. The children’s event was run by Swellendam’s Badisa,Lovelife, A.C.V.V; Grabouw’s Eye on the Child and the Department of Cultural
Affairs and Sport.

The campaign was incredibly successful: it was well attended, received much media attention—from newspaper and radio alike—and was described as “professionally organized”and empowering”!

On the 16th of August 2008,at REACH’s 3rd S.A. Rural Women’s Day campaign in Swellendam, Community Chest handed over a cheque of R10 000.00 to REACH with clear instructions that it was meant to benefit REACH’s most neediest of beneficiaries.
Deeply humbled and in awe of this wonderful gesture,REACH set to task to identify how we were going to make full use of this wonderful gift.

This choice of how to spend the money was not that hard—we had no doubt that one of the greatest needs and one of the greatest gifts we could give to any of our farming beneficiaries was food however choosing who to give this gift to was a difficult task. After much time spent considering all our clients and beneficiaries REACH chose 5 households,including a crèche and a shelter for abused women and children, from three different farming areas (Villiersdorp, Swellendam & Gansbaai) who were all very deserving and greatly needing this gift.

And so on the 10th of September 2008, we - REACH’s two self designated “santa’s” (Joanie Fredericks, Executive Director of REACH and Claudia Lopes, Projects Director of REACH) - strapped ourselves to our “sleigh” (Joanie’s little red corsa) and away we were cruising over Sir Lowry’s Pass in our crusade to bring Christmas to the farming communities a little early this year.

REACH is a registered non-profit and public-benefit organization borne in 2005 to address sexual harassment and sexual violence on farms and in farming communities of the Western Cape.

REACH adopts a holistic approach that incorporates awareness raising, counselling and legal skills training and support, campaigning, research and policy advocacy. REACH’s vision is that of an empowered community that is socially aware, independent, responsible,self-caring and free of sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Phone: 021 633 5287
Fax: 086 518 2397
E-mail: info@reach.org.za
Web: www.reach.org.za

Physical Address:
Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children
Klipfontein Road,
Athlone 7764
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 38401,
Gatesville 7766