HIV/AIDS PEER EDUCATION

FUNDED THROUGH THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE ON HIV BY NORWEGIAN RED CROSS AND GLOBAL FUND (US$39,000)

The Belize Red Cross continues efforts towards educating youths on the prevention of further HIV infections by utilizing the ‘Together We Can’ (TWC) methodology. Since 2004 this program has been reaching young people between the ages of 10 to 29 with information on how to reduce their vulnerability to contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The methodology, revised in 2011, lends itself to educating adults as Instructor Trainers, utilizing games to educate Peer Educators, and allowing better interaction between adults and youth. The TWC program further facilitates face to face peer education while providing young people with access to information and education. Through this methodology youths are in a position to develop life skills that can allow them to mitigate their risk to contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and unplanned pregnancies. Belize Red Cross focuses on 4 main areas with this program:

1. Preventing further HIV Infection:

Through the implementation of activities highlighted within the Global Alliance framework, Belize Red Cross serves the people of Belize, guided by the 7 Fundamental Principles of the Movement, to scale up its actions in health promotion, disease prevention and disaster risk reduction. Implementation in communities allows the National Society to interact with several age groups in training and to engage in conversations of preventative messages, condom use, negotiation skills for condom use, where to access health facilities and the importance of knowing one’s status.

2. Expanding HIV treatment, care and support:

The BRC assists by facilitating members from marginalized populations to participate in the National Society’s Home Care Givers program which equips them with skills to reduce their vulnerability to transactional sex and exposure to sexual infection

3. Reducing HIV Stigma and Discrimination:

Efforts are several to build public awareness of the fact that “it is not WHO you are but WHAT you do” that puts you at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Through the production of educational materials that are distributed at social mobilization events such as health, expo and trade shows, and the erection of billboards in prominent locations, one of which is placed in a very prominent and busy downtown location in Belize City (Battle Field Park), BRC promotes non-stigma and discrimination.

4. Strengthening the National Society’s capacity to deliver and sustain scaled up HIV program:

Partnerships with other organization and sister National Societies continue to be built in order to do more, do better and to reach further in the fight against HIV & AIDS. The National Society partnered in different occasions with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour and Local NGOs such as Belize Family Life Association, Women’s Department, PASMO and sister National Societies, Jamaica Red Cross and Columbia Red Cross. In 2012 eleven (11) new National Trainers (NTs) were trained and certified in the TWC Peer Education program under the facilitation of Mrs. Lois Hue, Regional Trainer from the Jamaica Red Cross. Further collaboration with the Ministry of Education was possible to train and certify a number of counselors as Instructor Trainers (ITs) to carry out Peer Education within their schools, and in November of 2012 Ms. Claire Lamb, Labour

Officer from the Ministry of Labour, facilitated a one-day workshop for thirty-five (35) BRC Staff and Volunteers on the Subject of the Work Place Policy on HIV & AIDS.