St. Kitts and Nevis - FACTTS (Facilitating Access to Confidential testing, Treatment and Support)

The start of 2006 was a great challenge for us but we persevered and were able to overcome some of the challenges. Existing members renewed their commitment to the organisation and new members were received into membership. For more than half of the period under review, we had no meeting place. We, however, maintained contact with each other via telephone or home visits. This situation has since changed. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health (St. Kitts) has kindly consented for us to use the Ministry of Health Conference Room to hold our meetings. The two main objectives for the immediate future are as follows:

1. To recruit new members

2. To have the group registered.

This year in review saw FACTTS slowly emerging from the doldrums. On 29th June, 2006 FACTTS convened its first formal meeting for the year. This took the form of a seminar titled “Stress Management for People Living with HIV/AIDS.” Although we had only a 40% turnout (due to the Music Festival), the seminar was deemed a success. We put together a draft work plan for the period July to December. 2006. All are in agreement to have the Network registered during the final quarter of 2006. During our August meeting, we voted to adopt the constitution that was drafted a few years ago, and elected a five-member board to serve.

Members of the FACTTS continue to reach out to the infected and uninfected communities in St. Kitts.

• Two members made presentations during one of the sessions of the Caribbean Conference of Churches, home-based care workshop that was held at the Bird Rock Beach Hotel in St. Kitts. They used the opportunity to share personal experiences and emphasise the need for faith-based organisations to show love and empathy to those infected with and affected by HIV.
• There is on-going discussion with a nurse in Nevis in relation to the needs of PLWHA. The major concern that was highlighted is the need for assistance with adherence counselling on a one-on-one basis. No definite plan has as yet been developed on how FACTTS would assist since the nurse would need more time to prepare her clients to meet someone other than herself.

FACTTS has successfully liaised with one doctor in Nevis to recruit new members. One new member has been added to the membership through this effort.

Members of FACTTS have benefited from regional training as follows:

• Peer Treatment Counselling training session
• International HIV/AIDS Alliance community outreach training programme
• Counselling and Testing - Provider Initiated Approach conducted by CAREC.

Challenges

FACTTS continues to face the challenge of attracting new members from amongst the PLWHA community in St. Kitts and Nevis and the group continues to operate without a regular source of funding.

FACTTS has employed the following strategies to address these challenges:

1. A meeting was convened with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, St. Kitts. Outcomes of the meeting:
   • FACTTS was assured of a meeting place
   • We were encouraged to submit a proposal for a Nutrition Supplement Project
   • We were encouraged to continue to recruit new members and document the number of PLWHA even though they are not ready to come out to meetings.
2. Proposals were submitted to the National AIDS Secretariat for funding:
   • To host a seminar on stress management for PLWHA
   • For membership recruitment and capacity-building for PLWHA in St. Kitts and Nevis.
3. Letters of request for sponsorship to attend CRN+ 10th Annual General Meeting and Capacity Building Workshop were sent to:
   • Ministry of Health, St. Kitts
   • TDC Ltd
   • DIGICEL Telephone Company.

(Only the Ministry of Health, St. Kitts gave a favourable response.)

4. We have solicited assistance from the local Peace Corps to assist with proposal writing and other activities.
5. Collaborating with CARe Trinidad (details still to be worked out).
6. FACTTS participated in the first Remembrance Day Candlelight Service for PLWHA which was conducted by the St. George's Anglican Church, Basseterre, St. Kitts.

Achievements

1. FACTTS has secured funding for:
   • A Stress Management Seminar
   • The Membership Recruitment and Capacity Building Project (we will sign the Memorandum of Understanding soon)
   • Sponsorship for two persons to attend CRN+ 10th Annual General Meeting and Capacity Building Workshop
2. FACTTS now has a new member from Nevis
3. The active membership of FACTTS has increased
4. FACTTS is now registered with the Department of Community and Social Development as the National Network of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in St. Kitts and Nevis
5. FACTTS now has a constitution
6. Existing members have renewed their commitment.

Recommendation for Action at the Regional Level

As FACTTS embarks on its upward journey, we need every assistance, support and encouragement possible to establish the Network as the authentic voice of PLWHA in St. Kitts and Nevis . Consequently, we welcome suggestions on the best way to approach doctors to encourage them to make referrals to the Network; we would need assistance with the editing of literature for a PLWHA information booklet and we would be grateful for assistance to develop a work plan and budget that would include activities that reflect the strategic plan for CRN+.