DEVELOPING FARM WORKERS

Research in rural areas of the Western Cape shows that 70% of farm workers seriously misuse alcohol, 70% are illiterate, 80% have inadequate parenting skills and 60% of the children get minimal pre-school stimulation. A full-time Miqlat staff is responding to this need by living with and ministering to farm workers and their families on farms in the Paarl and Franschhoek areas. Crèches on farms are being empowered and assisted.

Background:

The life of the typical farm worker in South Africa has been well documented by numerous reports and studies. The conclusions are that in South Africa's rural areas, farm workers continue to remain the most oppressed and most exploited sector of the South African working class. The grim picture of the South African countryside is one of brutal living and working conditions, compounded by high levels of alcoholism and poor education. The hardships children in particular in the farming community face are enormous.

Our Programs:

Miqlat is actively engaged in providing a wide variety of social, educational and discipleship programs on several farms in the areas of Paarl, Porterville and Franschhoek. Staff members live on two large farms, and all the programs of Miqlat Ministries are continually involved in improving the lives and the environment of the farm workers and their families. The following programs are examples of the ministries serving the farm community:

• Adult Basic Educational Training (ABET)
  Upgrading the skills of adults is a national priority for South Africa, and this program provides literary skill development for both illiterate and literate adult learners. Miqlat staff members have been trained as facilitators to assess the learning needs of individuals and, using a computer-based program, to develop the learning skills of the farm workers.



• Million Leaders Mandate
  A global initiative to develop international Christian leaders, this program established by Dr. John C. Maxwell provides training to farm workers who have been identified as leaders.



• Bible based activities for children



• Biblical Portrait of Marriage for farm workers



• Touching Hearts Ministry course for youth



• Christian Counseling " Fetal Alcohol Syndrome



• Worship Services, prayer meetings and cell group activities



• Music, dance and drama activities for children and youth