Turks and Caicos Islands - Turks and Caicos islands Persons for Positive Action (TCIPPA+)

The Turks and Caicos Persons for Positive Action (TCIPPA+) was established in October 2005 by a group of concerned persons who were desirous of working together to bring about changes to improve the quality of life for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Vision

TCIPPA+ is strongly committed to improving the quality of life for all Turks and Caicos Islanders living with HIV/AIDS, irrespective of colour, race, creed, religion or class.

Mission

TCIPPA+ has a mandate to empower and support persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS through education, care and treatment programmes.

Activities

During the month of May 2006, Ms. Yolanda Simon, Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Network for PLWHA (CRN+), visited the Turks and Caicos Islands . The main objectives of Ms. Simon's visit were to create a better understanding of PLWHA among the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and to strengthen the newly formed group of Persons for Positive Action+. Through much insight and determination, she helped to cement the formation of the organisation, which established a national body during a meeting held on 3 June, 2006. To this end an Executive was elected to conduct the business of the group. The present Executive comprises:

• President, Clinton Lightbourne
• Vice President, Roslyn King
• Secretary, Claudette Rigby
• Treasurer, Brenda Been
• P.R.O., Habel Eugene
• Committee Member, Carlton Saunders.

The Executive meets bi-monthly. During the course of the meeting held in August 2006 a one-year operational plan was developed.

Training/Workshops/ Meetings

During the period under review, members of TCIPPA+ have benefited from the following:

• Three members have been trained as Voluntary Counselling and Testing providers
• Group members have all been provided with current information on medication and treatment
• Several group members attended a workshop on “All About HIV/AIDS”
• The President attended a workshop on the management of HIV/AIDS.

Promotional Activities

The group is also involved with promotional work for the National Day of Testing scheduled for the month of November 2006 and with activities to mark World AIDS Day, 2006. The group has prepared promotional material to showcase its activities.

Opportunities and Challenges

TCIPPA+ has plans to pursue efforts to exercise positive action by implementing activities from the one-year operational plan.

These activities include:

• Undertaking a membership drive aimed at recruiting more persons to participate actively in the organisation.
• Sensitisation sessions on leadership skills and the roles and responsibilities of members who hold specific executive positions. This is in an effort to build and improve the structure of the Executive thereby strengthening the local network.
• The group has plans to work closely with the regional network, CRN+, to encourage organisational strengthening.