Artistes In Direct Support (A.I.D.S.) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that comprises staff and volunteers of varying ages and experiences, who use their talents in music, drama and dance to promote HIV/ AIDS/STI education through the performing arts, media and peer education.
Members pose in front of the A.I.D.S theatre caravan
The organisation provides telephone as well as walk-in counselling services, and distributes HIV/ AIDS related material. They conduct an ‘In School Youth Programme’, an ‘Out Of School Youth Programme’, workplace interventions and other outreach initiatives.
As a result of their outreach sessions, a vibrant programme working with commercial sex workers was established. The members of the group meet once a month to discuss everyday issues affecting them.
Members of A. I. D. S. also write, produce and perform dramatic pieces to get across messages pertaining to HIV/ AIDS. Among the many achievements is the production of television movies such as ‘A Force to Reckon’ and ‘Against all Odds’ which were regularly aired on various television stations throughout Guyana.
Merica George, prevention coordinator, told Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that the organisation was the brainchild of late theatre stalwart Andre Subryan. It was officially started in 1992, so come this September the organisation would be celebrating 20 years in existence.
George said too that there are numerous activities planned in celebration of the anniversary. “A. I. D. S. started out as a theatrical group, where we did edutainment through the form of drama. We went out and performed skits on the streets, ‘Street Theatres’, depicting HIV related issues and how to deal with stigma and discrimination,” she reflected.
Focus on commercial sex workers
George said about 7 years ago, the organisation joined the USAID/ GHARP family and due to this, its focus shifted.
Having fun at a dance rehearsal for World AIDS Day
“Right now our focus is on the commercial sex workers because we have found that they are at a higher risk of contracting HIV/ AIDS. Our main aim is teaching them behaviour change and giving them the necessary tools to make wise decisions.
“We still do a bit of edutainment when called upon, but this is our main focus right now. Our goal is to continue to reduce our HIV/ AIDS statistics. We have had a reduction of the HIV/ AIDS statistics, which is very good for Guyana because it means that people have been heeding the call to be more conscientiously safe,” she revealed.
There are trained representatives in various regions carrying out A. I. D. S. activities and encouraging behavioural change concerning sex. In November 2010, the organisation launched its Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) site at its office in Kitty, in honour of deceased founder Subryan.
The launch came on the eve of the National Week of Testing, which has become a yearly feature on the health calendar. VCT has continued to be one of the organisation’s main services it provides at its 156 Alexander Street, Kitty office, and it is very confidential and comfortable.
“We have volunteers going out to various sites where commercial sex workers are, and trying to counsel them on behavioural change, safe sex, mental health. We have planned out manuals we use, which serve as guidance as to how we go about our work. We also do mobile testing so we would go out if there is a need to get that done,” she said.
Funding woes
The main challenge George said, is funding. The organisation wants to do more but because of inadequate funding it is limited with regard to how much they want to get done.
“The building we operate in is rented so there is a need for our own building. With our own building we can use that rent money to carry out more activities. We also need security. When we go out at nights to meet the commercial sex workers we are faced with angry passersby. People would pass and throw bottles and stones, even spoiled eggs, on us, and this endangers us,” a concerned George divulged.
George encourages all to get tested early. To know your status means peace of mind and it promotes a continual healthy life. HIV/ AIDS can be prevented if persons are more conscientious of their behaviour. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
