Philani Outreach Programme

The Philani Outreach Programme is a home visiting program based in South Africa that aims to improve child and maternal nutrition and health and prevent the mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Among those living in South Africa’s informal settlements, the program targets all pregnant women; malnourished children; and children at risk of malnutrition, abuse, neglect or HIV/ AIDS. Outreach workers, also called mentor mothers, conduct the home visits. Outreach workers are from the local communities and have successfully raised well-nourished, healthy children despite living in poverty. They identify and invite eligible families to participate, focusing on health issues, coping skills, and available resources. The outreach workers also refer children who need additional medical attention to the local medical clinics.