ABSTRACT
South Africa is a heterogeneous, paradoxical and developing country. With a population of forty million people it is a diverse, multi-cultural, multi-racial society. Struggling to emerge from three hundred years of colonialism, racism and decades of apartheid it is nonetheless the economic powerhouse of southern Africa. In September 1994, Shane Petzer, a social worker and Ilse Pauw, a clinical psychology intern began consulting with various sectors of the city's diverse sex industry as to the viability of an education and advocacy program. Workshops using group work methods have proved a viable means of communicating health messages and information on other issues to sex workers. A skills training curriculum has been developed to attract sex workers to the Center for social activities and self development. Workshops have included massage skills training, hair care, manicuring, safer sex and primary health care. Regular fieldwork is conducted by volunteers.
