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In this issue:
- Guyana
- Aruba
- Curacao
- Grenada
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GUYANA
HIV and AIDS
- The Ministry of Education and the National AIDS Programme Secretariat hosted a health fair in observance of World AIDS Day. The Guyana Red Cross (GRC) was invited to participate in the fair by setting up an information booth ob all its HIV and AIDS programmes.
- Julie Kanhai of the GRC conducted a HIV discussion at a community gathering at the Macushi Village, Hiowa, Central Rupununi. The discussion was arranged by a local community health worker and Youth Challenge. During the discussion which was attended by 40 persons, Julie touched on topics such as what are HIV and AIDS, how it is transmitted, prevention, treatment, testing and myths. It was a very interactive discussion and a number of questions were asked. The entire presentation was translated into the Macushi dialect by the local community health worker. The villagers also requested that the GRC return to conduct a condom demonstration and to show a video on HIV.
- An HIV sensitization session was done for villagers and about 35 school kids aged 10-17 at the Nappi Village Resource Centre. This session was facilitated by and Instructor Trainer (IT) who is stationed in Nappi. The session went very well and children won small prizes for giving the correct answers to questions on HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
- On December 12, the GRC hosted a HIV and AIDS fair aimed at sensitizing students on HIV and AIDS using various mediums such as information sharing, discussions, entertainment and interactive games focusing on the four programmatic areas of the epidemic: Education and Awareness, Care and Support for persons living with HIV, Advocacy against Stigma and Discrimination and Treatment. The audience was very enthusiastic about the “Together We Can” (TWC) programme, the activities and messages. Many young people participated in the quiz exercise.
- The GRC engaged teachers and parents of schools that were involved in the TWC programme, in HIV/STI awareness sessions as a method of reinforcement to the TWC target groups. As part of these activities participants were first assessed on their awareness of HIV and AIDS, they were then informed on HIV/STI facts which sparked a series of discussions and questions especially on STIs other than HIV. Their interest was led to humour when they were challenged to demonstrate proper condom usage. It became obvious through the discussions that a majority of the participants were uninformed about many STIs including HIV. As a result, they expressed much gratitude for the effort put forth by GRC.
- As part of World AIDS Day activities, a quiz competition on HIV and AIDS was done with students of Grove primary school. This competition involved 16 grade nine students, in four groups of four. It comprised of three rounds – in one round, students were challenged with 25 true and false questions. At the end of this round all participants received a GRC pencil. Two winning groups proceeded to round two with 21 one phrase answers to determine the wining group which received GRC HIV and AIDS buttons. In round three the two students who answered the most questions challenged each other for a TWC pen. The winner also received a prize from the school.
WORLD VOLUNTEERS DAY
- The Dental Technician’s Office at the Lethem Public Hospital has been in operation for over 25 years. The office which is run by Dr Dentex Edgar has provided dental care to over 200 local residents. When peer educators were assigned in August, through their schools, to work study programmes at the local hospital, they were saddened by the shabby appearance of the dental clinic. As such, it was decided that the Red Cross Youth will host a fundraising event where part proceeds were used towards repainting of the dental clinic. So, in the true spirit of volunteerism, on International Volunteers Day – December 5, Red Cross and community volunteers along with some hospital staff members repainted the local office.
- The GRC also partnered with the NGO Forum and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investments to observe World Volunteers Day. To commemorate the day, a ceremony and exhibition was held at the GRC’s headquarters where the Red Cross mounted a booth highlighting all their programmes.
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ARUBA
CRUISE SHIP RESCUE
- In October, members of the “Polynesia,” a special niche cruise tourism vessel, notified the Red Cross that they were being treated inhumanely and requested urgent assistance. They had not received salaries for several months and conditions on the ship were deplorable. There was no water to drink or shower and no fuel was being delivered to the vessel which meant no ventilation aboard. The company that was responsible for the vessel was financially mismanaged by the owners. Aruba Red Cross volunteers assisted the crew members by providing them with meals, refreshments, medical assistance, medication and daily opportunities to shower at the Red Cross facilities as well as to wash their clothing and make telephone contact with their loved ones at home. The Red Cross also launched an appeal to get funds to assist these crew members to return to their home countries which included Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. A chain of contacts was set up with different Red Cross Societies throughout the Caribbean who all swiftly assisted in helping the stranded crew members safely on their way home.
FIRE RESCUE
- Homeless citizens who reside in Oranjestad in the “Dak riba kabez” shelter were unpleasantly surprised when a fire damaged their shelter which left them out on the streets. The majority of the victims were drug addicts. The Fire Department, after having evaluated the situation made an appeal to the Red Cross for assistance. The Dutch Marine Corps made tents and cots available from the Red Cross which were put up the same day. The Red Cross assisted in getting the relevant government departments moving and brought assistance from the private sector to the table. Most of the victims lost everything. The Red Cross managed to get some clothing, hygienic supplies, sheets and pillow cases to the victims. Within two weeks the shelter was repaired and the victims were able to return to their shelter. More than 40 people were assisted.
DONATIONS
- During the last quarter of 2007, the Aruba Red Cross received three sizeable cheques. The first cheque for US$28,500 was from Global Foods NV, from Mr Rene Kan and Mr Justus Martens. Mr Creed Smith of Capex Industries Ltd donated US$500,000 which was used to purchase a second Red Cross ambulance. In November, Valero Refining Company, Aruba NV held a special auction - for every litre of gasoline purchased at one of their tank stations, three cents would be donated to the Red Cross. Their total donation was US$80,000. Some of this money went towards the purchase of the second ambulance, consulting expenses and the building of a new headquarters for the Aruba Red Cross.
VISITS
- Mrs Anke Bijleveld, State Secretary for Kingdom Affairs paid a visit to the Aruba Red Cross in November for the opening of its new headquarters. During her visit she publicly recognized the special work being carried out by the Red Cross. She also donated US$5,600 and gave the commitment of the Dutch Government to supporting the Aruba Red Cross with a “Twinning Project.” This means that Dutch Government of the Netherlands will pay all expenses related to having a Dutch Red Cross interim manager available for the Aruba Red Cross for an 18 month period. She also promised to make more visits to the Aruba Red Cross.
VOLUNTEERS
- For two month a volunteer from the Netherlands Red Cross assisted the Aruba Red Cross with the drafting of their five year strategic plan an also a draft operational plan for 2008. These draft plans are expected to be finalized and approved by the Board very shortly.
FIRST AID
- As part of its participation project, the Netherlands Red Cross branch of Leidschendam donated Euro 30,000 worth of First Aid materials to the Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao Red Cross branches. This donation will significantly improve the First Aid response in their respective countries.
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CURACAO
HIV and AIDS
- During the month of November, the Curacao HIV and AIDS Network (CRN) and the Curacao Red Cross in co-operation with the Luna Blou Theatre held an eight days HIV documentary film festival for secondary school youth. The festival was a major success and more than 1,500 came with their teachers. Three documentaries were shown, but the one that made a huge impression was “Sipho’s Dream.” The documentary is about a young boy living with his brothers and sisters after their mother died of AIDS. CHN tried to receive Sipho in Curacao but unfortunately his transit visa for the Netherlands was not awarded by the Dutch Government. After the documentaries a panel discussion was organised in which Red Cross youth participated as well.
- On December 1, CHN held a “Dance against HIV.” Red Cross was present at the event at had set up a booth where young people could get visit and get more information on the TWC programme and condom use among other issues.
- Under the HIV prevention project, ten hairdressers received training in HIV and AIDS. Special attention was given to anti-stigma and discrimination. The hairdressers received lots of information and materials during the training and were asked to start sharing the knowledge their received with their clients. In January, the hairdressers will also receive a First Aid course.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
- On December 10, the Curacao Red Cross re-opened its Disaster Relief Centre with financial assistance from the Curacao Lion’s Club and the National Disaster Fund in the Netherlands. The director of the Netherlands Red Cross as well as the cluster manager was present during the re-opening of the Centre. They also met with different stakeholders in Curacao to discuss the important role of the Red Cross as an auxiliary to the government and the need for structural financial assistance.
ELDERLY
- In November, participants of the Red Cross’ elderly programme which is run by the youth department received manicures, pedicures and massages. They were very happy with this special treatment and attention. The spa treatment was done by special health workers who charged the Red Cross reduced prices for their services. The elderly were also treated to a very special Christmas fair in December. Without the Red Cross project most of the elderly folks would never be able to leave their homes.
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GRENADA
FIRST AID TRAINING AND EDUCATION
- The health department of the Grenada Red Cross certified 15 persons from the Fish Friday Committee in First Aid and CPR in November. A graduation ceremony was held on December 11 and successful applicants received their identification cards. This was a joint effort with the Grenada Community Development Agency. (Grencoda).
- The Seventh Day Adventists Church of Morne Toute held a fair on Sunday November 4 at the Limes Pasture in St George’s. Some 123 persons stopped by the First Aid booth which was mounted by the Red Cross and received information on their programmes as well as token when the answered First Aid questions correctly. Visitors also had an opportunity to have their blood pressure checked.
- The health department also provided First Aid and Ambulance service at a number of activities throughout Grenada including the Grenada Athletic Association Road Race, the TAMCC Road Race – “Run Marryshow Run,” and the Ministry of Sports Cross country event among others.
INTERNSHIPS
- Two students of the local university completed their internship at the Grenada Red Cross in December. During their internship they engaged in administrative activities and received training in First Aid and CPR which they later used to give back in service activities. They also updated the First Aid and volunteer database.
YOUTH
- The youth department held its “Leadership Training” in St George’s, St David’s, St Mark’s, St Patrick’s, St Andrew’s and St John’s on November 7 and 8. The “Leaders’ received updated Red Cross information on events, activities and training programmes offered. It was also an opportunity for sharing of ideas and improving the services offered to youth members enrolled in the school groups.
PSYCHOSOCIAL WELLNESS (PSP)
- A PSP manual sharing session for stakeholders and volunteers was held on November 5 with a volunteer from the Jamaica Red Cross, Samora Bain. Stakeholders and volunteers got the opportunity to make interventions about the manual and its proposed cover.
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