Planting Hope, Health and Dignity  

Free State Rainbow Seeds is a community organisation rooted in strong community values and driven by a commitment to human rights and equal access to healthcare. It now joins NACOSA as an implementing partner for the My Journey Programme in the Mangaung region of the Free State province. My Journey is funded by the Global Fund and is South Africa’s largest national youth programme with local community impact. The programme supports girls and young women to take charge of their health and wellbeing by providing HIV prevention options and supportive services in their communities. 

Free State Rainbow Seeds was founded in 2012 by members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Free State province. They saw a need to create a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ persons – as a minority community, they were often excluded and their needs were not properly addressed. At the time, there were very limited platforms in the province where they could openly gather, access support, or seek help without fear of stigma or discrimination. The founders came together with the vision of establishing an organisation that would advocate for equal access to healthcare, the protection of rights, psychosocial support, and broader social inclusion. 

According to the Human Sciences Research Council’s 2022 national HIV survey data, the Mangaung district recorded one of the highest HIV prevalence levels. HIV testing rates were also low, with 56.8% of adolescent girls and young women having never tested for HIV, showing the need to address the urgent gaps in testing and early diagnosis. 

The My Journey Programme aims to address these gaps by focusing resources on those most vulnerable to HIV, especially adolescent girls and young women, without excluding boys and young men. By focusing on the most vulnerable populations, the programme makes sure prevention, testing, and support services reach those who need them the most.  

Free State Rainbow Seeds works closely with communities, schools and youth networks to reduce HIV infections, teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence. At the centre of their work are girls, young women and LGBTQI+ youth, who often face layered vulnerabilities such as discrimination, limited access to health services and exposure to violence. The organisation provides safe, non-judgemental spaces where young people can access sexual and reproductive health services, receive psychosocial support, and develop life skills that help them become informed, confident and resilient, enabling them to make empowered choices. 

The My Journey Programme is a movement of hope for Mangaung’s adolescent girls and young women. We believe that when young people are informed, supported and heard, they make empowered choices.” says Kgetho Sephiri, Free State Rainbow Seeds’ Programme Manager,  

This will strengthen prevention of HIV, STIs, teenage pregnancy, and GBV, while building a generation that feels valued, protected, and ready to contribute positively to society.”

Find out more at: fs-rainbowseeds.org.za