Jamaica - Jamaica Network of Seropositives (JN+)

The Jamaican Network of Seropositives has had a productive year filled with new and renewed partnerships, a 71% increase in membership and ten active support groups.

Capacity Building

Training in the areas of computer skills, treatment literacy and public speaking have produced promising results for employment and redefined lives. Business management, employee eligibility and leadership skills will be added in the coming year. Youth and vulnerable groups will receive more focus as we identify partners to provide technical/ financial support for training and psycho-social support.

Seven JN+ members attended the XVI international AIDS Conference in Toronto , Canada . Four were attending their first large gathering and expressed appreciation for the experience that brought reassurance on living a quality life.

Advocacy

JN+ continues to be the voice of PLWHA in Jamaica by representing issues, concerns and positive development of PLWHA. We have partnered with faith-based, banking, education, telecommunications and health sectors among others in sensitisation programmes.

A communication workshop supported by CRN+ in February 2006 resulted in the creation of an Advocacy Committee that will lead the advocacy plan for JN+.

JN+ held a civil society information session in preparation for UNGASS 5. As a result of this meeting JN+ documented its High Priority Commitment on Universal Access which was included in the presentation of the Jamaica delegation to UNGASS 5. JN+'s President was a part of the delegation.

Stigma and Discrimination

The Advocacy Officer and two Outreach Officers enabled an increase of assistance with issues of discrimination. Support to access social and health services also mitigated the issue of stigma and discrimination towards members and their families.

JN+ has partnered with CCNAPC to host a human rights desk that will enhance our focus on documenting cases of discrimination and assist PLWHA to claim their rights. The PLWHA website is in its second phase of development to ensure sensitivity and accessibility. Education on the rights of the person and dealing with stigma and discrimination will get the level of attention it requires.

Membership Wellbeing

The Programme Officer will be instrumental in the implementation of projects that ensure that the needs of members are addressed.

Funding from the Collaborative Fund (ITPC-CF) has assisted support groups with meetings for information sharing and social welfare. Under this project a series of Regional Planning Meetings were conducted, the objectives of which were to enable the Board to reach out to support groups, assess their needs and develop regional activities plans. The award of another grant of US $16,200.00 for year 2 of the ITPC-CF project will assist with the implementation of support groups' activities in the areas of treatment literacy, education and access to care and support.

The two vacant Technical Committee Chair positions on the Board will be filled AT the Board Retreat and Staff Orientation on 20 th October, 2006. The UNAIDS Office in Jamaica will provide technical and financial support for this activity as part of their commitment to assist the Network with institutional strengthening.

Challenges

JN+ urgently needs to draft a five-year strategic plan to assure our partners of the organisation's direction. Within the in the next three months a strategic plan that will incorporate the regional activities plan, deliverables of the Jamaica Global Fund Projects (GFTAM) and International Treatment Preparedness Coalition Collaborative Fund (ITPC) and CRN+ will be drafted and circulated for consensus . To ensure this we have embarked on the recruitment of seven staff members (funded by Ministry of Health/GFTAM) for the Secretariat including the position of Executive Director. At present five staff positions are filled and we hope to have the others on in place by end of October.

The CRN+ project that provided support for office expenses ended early 2006. We are currently seeking funding for the rental of office space as there is an urgent need for a private space for counselling and support group meetings.

JN+ would like to express its gratitude for the continued emotional, financial and spiritual support of our partners and stakeholders, which motivates us to continue in the struggle and participate actively in the fight against HIV/AIDS.