A multi-disciplinary study, referred to as the THUSA Project, (Transition, Health andUrbanisation in South Africa) was conducted in the North-West University between1996 and 1999. This study identified farm dwellers in the North West Province as aparticularly vulnerable group concerning nutrition as well as physical and mentalhealth. During 2001-2002 a needs assessment was further conducted in two farmingcommunities in the province and it was found that the workers and their familieslacked in quality of life and were not able to generate an additional income. Based onthe results of the THUSA study and the needs assessment, a threefold training andeducation intervention was implemented to educate female farm dwellers in basicresource management, repairing and recycling of worn textile items andmanufacturing crafts from available items. The aim was income-generation. Resultsobtained from the threefold study indicated the need for additional, intensive trainingof women to enable them to generate an income by applying newly acquired skills.An additional training intervention, aimed at product development, was thereforedesigned. The intention was to enhance competency with regard to the possibilitiesthat could be attached to the generation of an income from product sales. It wasapparent that business and practical training would have to receive attention if qualityproducts were to be produced. Twelve women participated in the training and formedthe "Holding Hands" women's group.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate factors that would contribute to and enhancesustainable income-generating projects applicable to a farming communitySpecific objectivesThe specific objectives of this study included the following:Identification of criteria from the literature that could be regarded as indicatorsof sustainability.Analysis of South African income-generating projects in order to determinefactors contributing to sustainability (projects similar to and including the"Holding Hands" project).Identify and measure sustainability factors.0 Formulation of recommendations for sustainability indicators for income generatingprojects similar to the "Holding Hands" project.MethodsA literature survey was conducted to identify sustainability factors and gaininformation from various income-generating projects.A qualitative research design was also followed to determine the factors that wouldcontribute to the projection of sustainability. Information was obtained by making useof informal telephonic and face-to-face interviews with project facilitators.To recommend sustainability indicators, a Participatory Action Research (PAR)approach was applied within the "Holding Hands" project.ResultsThe steps in the PAR process included planning, acting, observing, reflecting and replanning.Planning incorporated identifying the problems and needs of thecommunity. It was found that female farm dwellers do not have access to markets.market requirements, trends and prices. Selecting a project management team wasan imperative necessity to ensure ownership and cooperation of project teammembers. It was found that through the project management team, skills weretransferred, knowledge shared and team members became motivated. In order toensure that all team members would have a clear understanding of the project aims,a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) was used as a logical planning instrument. Itwas found that project team members gained a better understanding of the tasks athand by making use of the WBS. A further step in the PAR process involved a SWOT(strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. The SWOT analysisassisted the project management team to focus on their strengths, reduce theirweaknesses, exploit opportunities and manage the threats they are faced with. It wasfurther found that through thorough financial planning, project team membersrealised the importance of sound money management and that resources should beeffectively allocated.A further step of the PAR process that was applied to the "Holding Hands" projectwas that of acting. This process included data collection, categorisation of data intothemes, and negotiation and establishing ownership. A pre-training skills testprovided the researcher with valuable data, which assisted in product selection,matching skills levels and interests of project team members. Following the datacollection phase, themes were identified and categorised. These themes included theneed for business training, practical skills training, facilitator involvement, the need togenerate a sustainable income, to ensure project sustainability and to identifyindicators to measure levels of sustainability. Through negotiation and establishingownership it was found that project members took charge of daily administrativetasks.The observing phase allowed for the integration of monitoring and evaluation ofparticipants as well as for the evaluation of the action plan. Reflecting allowed projectteam members to make sense of learning experiences and to engage in informaldiscussions, which in turn proved to increase their knowledge. The last step in thePAR process was re-planning. The re-planning phase took into account theoutcomes of each of the steps in the PAR process in order to plan for future training.RecommendationsThe following main recommendations can be made for income-generating projectssimilar to the "Holding Hands" project:A participative approach must be followed, allowing the community to takeownership and responsibility for their own development.Sustainability indicators must be developed as a measuring tool, which willassist the community to monitor and evaluate their project progress, detectproblems well in advance and take timely corrective measures.Facilitators of income-generating projects must be patient at all times andthey must be willing to learn from community members and they should havean open mind.Checklists and evaluations are vital for both the facilitator and projectmembers.Constant re-training of project members must occur in order to ensure continuity and sustainability.
