Lead, Empower, Deliver

Build Up to World AIDS Day_Background on World AIDS Day themes

Background on World AIDS Day themes

The overall purpose of the World AIDS Campaign from 2005 to 2010 is to ensure that leaders and decision makers deliver on their promises on AIDS, including the provision of Universal Access to Treatment, Care, Support and Prevention services by 2010. Within that five-year mission, annual campaigning themes are selected which are timely, relevant and adaptable to a number of different regions and issues.

The theme for World AIDS Day has been determined by the World AIDS Campaign since 1997. Since that time, the campaign has developed into to its current form, governed by a committee of global constituency-based AIDS networks. The Global Steering Committee of the World AIDS Campaign selected the theme of leadership during their fifth steering committee meeting held in Geneva on 8th and 9th of February 2007. This Global Steering Committee is comprised of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS, the Youth Coalition, the Global Unions Programme on HIV/AIDS, the International Council of AIDS Service Organisations, the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, and the International Women’s AIDS Caucus. UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria are nonvoting members.

For further information see www.worldaidscampaign.org

November 2008 Update

Dear Friends of Shanker,

The year's just getting by and all of us are trying to get the Postive Calender 2009. The positive shoot by the Mass Com students of St. Joseph's College starts morrow.

Importantly, an organisational assessment is being facilitated on 5th of November by the CHAI Project Staff. Two sets of focus group discussions will be held. One with the board and the other with the staff. This will be the basis of evolving the organisational development plan which is much needed with the Network growing day by day. This will enable us to strengthen the exisiting activities of the network as well as look at sustainability issues.

We look forward to the World AIDS day 1st December 2008. Taking the lead and keeping the promise from last year.

Yours sincerely

Roshan

The 1st of December, World AIDS Day, is the day when individuals and organisations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Whilst we have come a long ways since 1988, there is still much more to be done.

October 2008 Updates

Remembering all of us on Gandhi Jayanti and quoting the Mahatma:

"Be the change you want to see in the world"
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

Dasain and Tihar is here, festivities signifying triumph of good over evil as well as coming together of family, friends and communityWe have good news on the care and support front with the opening of the Community Care Centre. Now that we have Glenn Family Foundation Centre in Kalimpong and Prayash in Darjeeling the scenario of care and support is improving and becoming more accessible to PLHIV in Darjeeling Hills.

The question that rattles me is - is this the positive social change we are looking forward to???

We have a community care centre but do we have a community that really cares and supports? Have we really reduced stigma and discrimination? Do we realize that the rights of PLHIVs are directly linked with prevention too?

To take stock, the Shanker Foundation Darjeeling Network of Positive People membership has increased to 101 members. Yet the five who came out in the open in 2006 are still the only public face of DjNP+. Shanker Daju(Secretary of DjNP+) is in need for second line ART but it is not available as yet. There have been promises, about ART distribution from Darjeeling for ages but promises are meant to be broken.

There is a team of students from NP College Mass Com department making a film on Hari(President of DjNP+). This for me is a great trend in the education process of our community, where students pursue local issues and pursue their creativity too while learning life skills. The film will be part of Montage 2008 where the students' short films are screened. Montage 2008 is about Stars of Darjeeling. Hari is a rock of our community and the DjNP+. His is a world view which is truly global which encompasses us all. Hari brings hope and celebration into our lives. Definitely a Star of Darjeeling.

Shanti International is the latest members of the friends network. Shanti International has committed support to the Network which brings a sigh of relief – with increasing members and reducing government support. For further info on Shanti International please check: http://www.shanti-international.org.uk/

Edith Wilkins Street Children Foundation is providing medical service. This adds another doctor to a band of dedicated doctors in Darjeeling. Their support also comes with medicines.

CHAI Project continues their dedicated support with funds and medical support.

Amazing are the individuals who silently contribute and extend their support. Their anonymity is their greatness.

Time has come for the Positive 2009 calendar. We want to continue it for it generates awareness as well as funds. WE NEED SPONSORS FOR THE PRINTING. Remember the WAD 2007 TAKE THE LEAD.

yours sincerely,
Roshan

Taking HIV AIDS to the Workplace: Glenarys - A Postive Example

Hari from Shanker Foundation speaking to the Glenary's staff

Birthdays are never complete in Darjeeling without a cake from Glenarys. Glenarys is one of the oldest and most loved bakeries here. It has grown and added a resto-bar and the Restaurant still serves the best sizzlers in town, but the essence of Glenarys lies in its bakery. You must be wondering why Glenarys is featured so prominently in an article on HIV/AIDS. The truth is, Glenarys is the first private commercial establishment in Darjeeling that has organized an awareness program for its 150 strong staff on HIV/AIDS including alcoholism and drug addiction.

Shanker Foundation was invited to conduct an awareness program for its staff on the 7th of July. Hari from Shanker Foundation, Uncle Rajen from Kripa, together with other members conducted the awareness program in two sessions. Ajoy Edwards, the proprietor of Glenary’s and the staff listened with rapt attention. Hari, demystified the basics of HIV/AIDS with a clarity that left little room for doubt among the staff. He also spoke on the types of Sexually Transmitted Disease and Reproductive Tract Infection. Lawrence, a member, gave demonstrations on how to effectively use a condom to protect oneself from HIV/AIDS and STDs. This session was naturally punctuated by giggles and downcast eyes. Sex is something we don’t talk about candidly here and the fact that a person starts a condom demonstration was uncomfortable for some. But this is what these HIV/AIDS awareness are meant to do, break the silence on HIV/AIDS that is linked with sex, drugs and promiscuity in the conscience of the community.

Then Lawrence shared his experiences and explained why he has come out in the open with his positive status. He said “I don’t wish that anybody should go through what I have gone through” and therefore he was standing in front of them. This line touched the hearts of the staff. It was a powerful message that has according to Mr. Edwards motivated three of his staff members to organize and invite Shaker Foundation to conduct similar programs in their community. They have even volunteered to get themselves tested which is a huge step.

Mr. Edwards stressed on eliminating stigma and discrimination. He gave an important example of the early days of Tuberculosis (TB) when people with TB were socially ostracized, when marrying into a family with a member with T.B was considered equivalent to embracing death. He was very appreciative of the work done by the members of SF describing that their job was not just another job but a mission. He said that to talk about HIV/AIDS is one of the ways to prevent it.

When I asked the staff of Glenarys what they thought of the program, everyone said it was very informative. Binod Valmiki, told me that he had never discussed HIV/AIDS nor had he ever attended such a program! Most of the staff members had heard about HIV/AIDS but the information they had was vague and hearsay. But what they had now was detailed information on HIV/AIDS and a reference point where they could address their questions and doubts i.e. the Shanker Foundation.

An important response from the staff was their increased compassion and understanding about People Living with HIV/AIDS. There were many in the staff that were Hari’s classmates and commented on the fact that they were pleasantly surprised to find him so spirited and smarter.

This awareness programme on HIV/AIDS in Glenarys has been one of the first in a commercial establishment/workplace. A lot of people cannot afford to attend workshops and awareness due to work schedule and other circumstancesl, therefore, such awareness conducted in the workplace reaches out to the layman very effectively. It also brings about change in the way PLWA are perceived in the workplace and allows them to continue working for their present organisations without the fear of being removed or prejudiced.

Are other organisations equally brave enough to invite us for a sensitization programme?

Lets wait and see... my fingers are still crossed.

Report compiled by Tashi (Friends of Shanker)
She can be contacted at tashi5_sherpa@hotmail.com

POSITIVE STORIES - Priya

Priya* is one of the 36 women in the Foundation, a petite lady with a ready smile. She married young hoping for a better life. She became a mother at a young age and then discovered her husband had HIV/AIDS. The first thought that crossed her mind was of death, an early horrible death. She was terrified and feared HIV/AIDS. But she did not give up caring for her ailing husband.

She became the sole breadwinner and caregiver of her family. But since Darjeeling is a small town, word spread around and she was discriminated at her workplace. She started to live in denial and would run away if any member of Shanker Foundation approached her. But the burden of care could not be borne alone any longer so she sought the help of the Foundation. After joining the Foundation she started to open up to people and learn about HIV/AIDS. Gradually she overcame her fear of HIV/AIDS. She got herself tested and turned out HIV+. She lost her husband in 2007.

Priya* now works as a Peer Educator in the Foundation under the project supported and funded by The Adventurists in partnership with Mercy Corps raised from the Rickshaw Run in India. This Project aims at raising awareness on HIV/AIDS through workshops in rural and urban Darjeeling. The Project also provides support for transport to the Foundation since the only ART (Anti-Retroviral) Centre is in the North Bengal Medical College, Siliguri (a 3 hour drive from Darjeeling) as well as funds for Opportunistic Infections (OIs).

There are six members currently working under this Project and Priya is one of them. Workshops are conducted by members providing basic information on HIV/AIDS and a very important session wherein one of the member shares his/her experiences. Discrimination and stigma is still prevalent against people living with HIV/AIDS in Darjeeling and therefore these workshops are very important in combating these twin issues.

As a Peer Educator, Priya* not only counsels but also facilitates meetings and workshops in the community and schools. Since the start of the Project, Priya has become more confident and articulate. She says that the sense of responsibility and the will to live has grown stronger in her. Through the Project she travels to various areas and shares her experiences with the community. Priya* tells me that she is very happy and the sound of her laughter tells all...

* Name as been changed to maintain confidentiality

Submitted by Tashi (Friends of Shanker)

She can be contacted at tashi5_sherpa@hotmail.com

The Positive Calendar - July 2008

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