1. Presented by: Lilian Gitau Associate Program Officer Integration of health in Agriculture through Field Farmer Schools in APHIAplus Western NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF PEER EDUCATORS

2. Outline What is Farmer Field School Why Farmer Field School How is integration done Who does the sessions Of what benefit is this 3. A Farmer Field School (FFS) A Farmer Field School (FFS) consists of 25-30 farmers who meet twice a month for 6 months. An FFS is facilitated by Tea extension workers or skilled farmers (graduate farmers). Employing non-formal education methods, the field is used as the primary resource for discovery-based learning. The process is facilitative and respects the experience that farmers bring with them. 4. Why Farmer Field School It is an existing forum Learning is already in progress The 30 farmers are already community role models The availability of a captive audience for 45 minutes FFS educational methods are experiential, participatory and learner-centered. 5. How is integration done Aphia plus uses the SPLASH! Inside Out methodology to avail quality health information with in the workplaces in Western region specifically Kisii and Nyamira The Health Activists (HAs) are skilled volunteers able to facilitate discussions on health related topics with the aim of identifying risks and making risk reduction plans. HAs use experiential learning which is ideal for Adult learning 6. SPLASH Inside Out Ses 1. Introductory session Ses 2. Problematization of the issue Ses 3. Risk reduction strategy. Ses 4. From Inside Out Activism. 7. Risk reduction strategy. How do we need to do, say to resolve this problem? What will it cost? The opportunity cost e.g. loss of community approval How do I change my current status? E.g. adopt VMMC go for HTC, use an FP method use a treated mosquito net do STI screening? What support do I need from me and from outside. 8. Activism Reflection on how peer achieved the outcome How do we celebrate our achievement? How do we make our peers, family, and community aware of our success. What did it take? Who or what supported the effort Who else do I have influence over who is in a situation I was in whom I can assist? How will I get them into session 1. 9. What benefit The management and the farmers have a better working relationship There is increased demand for information on health Demand for health related services increased Community able to discuss among themselves issues on health Increased risk perception Increased uptake of health services (HTC, STI RH cancers screening, FP services etc) Confidence by the HAs on conducting sessions 10. Recommendations More factories should avail quality health information within the FFS to improve health indicators within the community Supportive supervision for the Has should continue for sustained continual improvement Health education should be treated as an important part of the 25% during FFS The Tea extension office requires to appreciate the need for farmers good health. 11. Conclusion FFS experience allows farmers to experience group formation that becomes valuable in addressing other community concerns including health The factories will continue responding to issues on health even after WP has ended. The use of existing structures to engage the farmers on health related issues will enable a sustained conduit of information which will result to increased demand for quality services. This avenue will reach a target group that has not been reached in the past.