USAID/Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction & Prevention Project (GHARPII)

Due to the successes of the first USAID/GHARP four year project cycle , a second cycle began in October 2008 and Help & Shelter was again invited to participate.

The 2008-9 agreement (1 October to 30 September) covered similar activities to those conducted under the first project cycle, namely counselling, basic HIV/AIDS information and prevention education and referral services to survivors of such violence and abuse, and working with in and out of school youth to increase knowledge of HIV prevention and child sexual abuse.

The 2009-10 agreement (1 October 2009 - 30 September 2010) covered somewhat different work. The objectives were:

1. To build the capacity of HIV+ women and other clients participating in mother to mother and other support groups at 2 PMTCT sites in Georgetown by September 2010.
2. To increase access to job skills training among HIV positive women within Region 4 by September 2010.
3. To increase male involvement and participation in discussions on domestic violence, substance abuse etc in Region 4 by September 2010.

In pursuance of these objectives the following activities took place:

1. Training 2 peer educators at each of 2 clinical sites in Georgetown(Dorothy Bailey & Campbellville).
2. Counselling sessions with mother to mother and other support groups at the clinical sites.
3. Making referrals to hotline and face-to-face counselling and legal services.
4. Collaborating with agencies providing job training and employment services.
5. Facilitating group sessions and forums to address male norms & behaviours.
6. Making referrals to substance abuse rehab programmes, STI screening & VCT.

The agreement was extended to December 2010 and the following activities took place in the final 3 month period of our funding:

1. Sessions at 3 health centres
2. Facilitating group sessions and forums to address male norms & behaviours.
3. Training with NGOs and Guyana Sugar Corporation workers

Our monthly narrative reports are attached below. (not in order)