March 2020
Access to quality medical assistance for farm workers is especially challenging in rural areas. Ensuring these facilities are in place is often where funding for projects on Waitrose partner farms are allocated. It has become even more important over the course of 2020 with the COVID-19 health crisis. Clinics and the availability of nursing staff on farms play a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of workers and their families.
One example of such a clinic is on Thornlands, in Buffeljagsrivier outside Swellendam in the Western Cape. A special thank you goes to Sister Maureen Aucamp and her team for their commitment and service to the community. The clinic is located in the same building as the Thornlands training centre, funded and supported by the Waitrose Foundation and exporter Market Demand Fruits for the benefit of the farm workers. The training venue is used for farm worker committee meetings, workshops, social gatherings and from time to time also used by the broader community for events.
