ARUBA - Fundacion E Faro

Since our return from Grenada in October 2005, we've been struggling to get our network going. The Board of E FARO consisted of PLWHA and people who were willing to help so that we can have a group that works for the wellbeing of PLWHA in Aruba . But, as days went by, things seemed more difficult because everybody was busy with their own work and responsibilities. The meetings were becoming fewer. Months went by without a meeting and we're still waiting on the documents from the notary.

The only thing that we did once in a while was get-togethers so that the PLWHA could come together and stay in touch. However, this didn't happen on a regular basis - maybe once every two months or when everybody had the time.

We were very worried because, looking back at the tasks we came home with from Grenada , we felt that we were the ones that were supposed to take the lead of E FARO, but it was very difficult to get people to be active. But, even though things were advancing slowly, some of us participated in workshops and activities organised by other organisations. This kept us busy and gave us the opportunity to get more knowledge regarding the work that has to be done in the field of HIV/AIDS so that we can improve the quality of life of PLWHA. For example:

• Two members of E Faro are also members of the UNAIDS Theme Group in Aruba .
• We participate as speakers at the World AIDS Day and AIDS Candlelight Memorial activities.
• In January 2006 we launched a CD called “No turning back,” which was an idea from E FARO that was presented to the UNAIDS Theme Group. The CD consists of a song and a jingle about prevention of HIV and AIDS.
• In June we participated in two workshops - HIV in the Workplace and Behaviour Change Communication.
• In August we had our meeting/get-together with the other PLWHA during which we talked about the new AZV-Card (AZV = General Medical Insurance). We think that with this new system PLWHA don't have any confidentiality anymore because it now comes with a photo of the person on it. Also, we told the others that it's good for us to come together more frequently so we can keep on sharing but also that we need more people to be active in E FARO, because only two people can't do all the work that has to be done.
• E FARO had two representatives at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto , Canada .

After our return from Canada we invited the other PLWHA to a meeting that took place on 2 September, 2006. In this meeting we shared our experience at the Toronto conference and also expressed our concern about the future of E FARO. At the end of the evening we managed to elect a new Board for E FARO. Following the results of this meeting we took the next step and that was to finish the paperwork for the official establishment of E FARO. We also designed a logo for the network. E FARO has a P.O. Box and soon it will get its own telephone line (we will start functioning with cell phones until we get an office).

When we return from Trinidad after the CRN+ AGM, we are going to work on what we have pending and these are as follows:

• Look for an office so that we can work more professionally, because up to now everything is being done at the house of the Secretary.
• Start doing publicity for E FARO so that the PLWHA in Aruba will know that there is a place where they can go to get support. This will be done in cooperation with DBZ (Department of Contagious Diseases) because they have contact with PLWHA on a daily basis.
• Apply for two phone lines (cell phone): one to attend the daily issues and the other for PLWHA who need support and want to stay anonymous.
• Follow up on the AZV issue.
• Follow up on the Viral Load machine issue. Our doctors have problems getting our results in time. It takes months before the results come back to Aruba . While we have a Viral Load machine, it is not functioning.
• We're busy planning an activity for World AIDS Day.
• We are also working on a book for children in cooperation with the Department of Education. If we finish in time it will be launched on World AIDS Day.
• We also have on our list to organise information evenings for PLWHA. Since everybody works during the day it is difficult to get them to come to workshops. It is our intention to have a speaker on information evenings to talk about different issues such as nutrition, self-esteem, stigma and discrimination, infectious diseases, medication and side-effects, prevention, etc. to give PLWHA more knowledge so they can improve their quality of life and to try to get them more involved.

We hope that, with time, we will have more PLWHA becoming active members of E FARO.