CRN+ - Annual Report 2006

Annual Report 2006

Country Reports: October 2005 - September 2006

Suriname - Stichting Mamio Namen Project The Stichting Mamio Namen Project (SMNP) is an initiative created to help people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). It was established in August of 1990 with the concern that in Suriname help and information on the disease was very limited. The members wanted to talk about the many common questions that PLWHA had, and with this in mind, SMNP was born. The main goals of SMNP are: To provide counsel and guidance to PLWHA To increase the overall HIV/AIDS awareness of the public and to separate fact from fiction To help inform on the medical, judicial, and financial issues dealing with HIV/AIDS To organise support groups and maintain a Buddy System To work alongside and help other social organisations and NGOs To participate in national and international HIV/AIDS workshops, conferences and training sessions. One of the first activities of SMNP was the creation and exhibition of mamios (patchwork quilts), made in memory of those who succumbed to AIDS. The making of a mamio is a way in which those who are left behind can work through the grieving process, and learn to accept what has happened. It is an artistic reminder with a potent message and a visible expression of love. Buddy Programme The Buddy Programme has existed since SMNP began. However, in 2005, we started a relationship with the Nederlands Schorer Stichting, which provided us with special training. We received funding through this organisation and CordAid. When we started this particular project in 2005, SMNP had only 20 Buddies. After the training, we had gained 20 more people, and five PLWHA also participated in the training. We gave the Buddy training because the Buddies are volunteers and they need the proper training to give psycho-social support to the PLWHA and to provide first aid and take them to the hospital if necessary. In total, we now have 50 Buddies in our Buddy Programme. The Buddies have been divided into three separate groups so that they can each have individualised training with separate supervisors within each group. The Buddies meet three times each month. Twice a year, the Buddies sell baked goods and sweets, and the proceeds go towards the financing of their various group activities. SMNP would like to decentralise the Buddy training. We would like to go the different districts and interior sites. In the coming year we plan to recruit 25 more Buddies from these areas. We need additional Buddies because the PLWHA are increasing, and after the recent “Know Your Status” campaign, 182 new cases of HIV were found. We need to accommodate this growth. Prevention Education During the reporting period SMNP went to several schools to provide prevention education to the students. We trained several companies and businesses as well in prevention education. Along with PLWHA, we provided HIV/AIDS information to the public at fairs that we attended. Thirty-four school activities were provided by SMNP, which targeted primary school students through to high school students. The number of students that participated was 2,850. Training has been provided to two churches in the city of Paramaribo , and one in the District. The total number of people trained was 450. We have done training in the Interior, and have trained 1,000 participants in the Brokopondo region, where the indigenous Maroon villages are. We also provided training to the Indian village of Bernarddorp , both to the youth and the entire community. There were 55 youth, and the elders and parents comprised 80. We have also provided training to the District of Nickerie, where we had 1,500 participants. In addition, we have sensitised the local oil company, and 500 workers participated in the training. In 2005, SMNP provided training to three prisons – two in Paramaribo , and in the District in Nickerie. The total number of people trained in all three prisons amounted to 800. We also provided sensitisation to 150 people at local police stations. The Kersten Company asked us to provide prevention training as well, and we provided this training to 75 people in their company. We also go into various communities to give education. At the end of the sessions, participants are asked to explain what they learned in a creative way so we can ensure that they understand our messages. There is also a Youth Group that works and assists with peer education during the weekends. They receive education and are certified to teach.
Support Groups In the beginning we only had 20 people in the support group. They met once a month, but after the recruiting of PLWHA, we have enough people to separate the members into four different groups, with each group having 10 members. In total, we now have 40 members in our support group. We have 325 patients that come to SMNP for assistance. They come for several reasons, e.g. to obtain a medical card. Three of the
	SMNP supporters assemble display for exhibit
peers are working with SMNP (they are paid by the Global Fund). The Global Fund provides 90 patients with food packages. Once a month, when the group meets with the PLWHA, we hire doctors, dieticians, and other professionals to conduct informational and team building sessions. During the meetings, the peers make handicraft and they also make borders on pillows. The money provided from the sales of the handicraft is used to purchase food items for PLWHA who are in the hospital, or who come to the SMNP for assistance. The money is used in various ways to help them. The Support Group also makes quilts to commemorate the lives of those PLWHA who have passed away. The quilts are sold and the profits are used to benefit PLWHA. Those that are not sold are put on display every year on December 1. The support groups also make the HIV Red Ribbons as well as pillows with embroidery to sell. Moreover, SMNP sells second-hand clothes once a year, and uses the money from the sales as discussed above. Participation in Training CRN+, together with the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, conducted training on Treatment Adherence with the three organisations in Suriname that help PLWHA. Several people from SMNP, Stichting Maxilinder, Stichting Claudia, as well as the Buddies were trained. CRN+ also provided us with training on Project Management and Communications. The following is a list of the training provided and meetings attended: October 2005 – “CRN+ Annual General Meeting and 9th Capacity Building Workshop” ( Grenada ) November 2005 – “Champions for Change II” ( Guyana , PANCAP) January 2006 – “Board Development Training” (Schorer Stichting); “Project Management” (CRN+) February 2006 – “CTC Counselors Training” (NAP) March 2006 – “Communications Planning” (CRN+) April 2006 – “Buddy and Support Group Training” (NAP); “IMAI Workshop” ( Jamaica , CARICOM) April 2006 – “CRN+ Board Meeting”( Trinidad and Tobago ) June 2006 – “Peer Treatment Counselling” ( Trinidad and Tobago , CRN+) July 2006 – “Peer Treatment Counselling” ( Suriname , CRN+); “The Basics of Communication” (CRN+); “Treatment Adherence Collaborative Fund” (Tides Foundation) August 2006 – “XVI International AIDS Conference”( Canada ); “Steering Committee – Proposal Review” ( Grenada , Tides Foundation). Other Activities During the reporting period SMNP had two major walks: On 1 December, 2005, we celebrated World AIDS Day with a “Safe Route Walk” in which 550 people participated, and in May 2006 we held a Candlelight March in which over 700 persons participated. From October 2005 to October 2006, SMNP received 1800 phone calls asking for help on various HIV-related issues. For example, callers needed prevention information or, were afraid to tell their family members they were HIV+, etc. During the year, 427 persons visited SMNP, for various reasons. During this year, approximately 33 HIV+ people passed away. We helped four of them pay for their funerals and burials, because their family members were not willing to help. In one case, the employer of one of the clients was able to assist us in paying for the burial. We also attend the funerals and receptions.