IN keeping with its mandate to educate, counsel, care and support persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Regions Five and Six, Comforting Hearts, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in New Amsterdam, remains committed to this task despite the many challenges facing the organisation.Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, Denzil Crawford, a counsellor attached to the organisation, said that despite having financial challenges, the NGO is very active, and has been so since 1998, when it was founded.

He explained that many persons seek the services provided by Comforting Hearts. Approximately 15 persons are counselled by the organisation before and after being tested for HIV.

The hardest part as a counsellor, he said, is informing persons that they are HIV positive, referring them to other organisations or institutions that can provide them with help, knowing that the chances of them going to the referred places for treatment and care are extremely slim.

PROMISCUOUS
Crawford said, “It is challenging, but we are here to help the people who need help.” He told the Guyana Chronicle that it is not at all easy to inform persons of their HIV status.

The counsellor noted that there are persons who are not cautious but are often promiscuous, and they present a risk of spreading HIV to other persons.

“Despite counselling some persons, it becomes quite difficult to sit around, knowing that the likelihood of them spreading the virus is high. But, of course, disclosing another person’s HIV status is a breach of confidence,” he explained.

DISCRIMINATION
Comforting Hearts, he said, operates with high morals and standards. As such, the organization will not betray the confidence of those who visit it for help. Asked about stigma and discrimination in the areas which the organisation targets, Crawford said, “Stigma is prevalent…but the truth is there has been a reduction in stigma…but there are high levels of discrimination.”

Acts of discrimination, he said, make it continuously difficult for those in need to disclose their HIV status and seek the necessary treatment. “We try our best at Comforting Hearts,” Crawford assured.

He noted that the services provided are not limited to HIV and AIDS. The NGO also pays special attention to victims of gender-based violence, as well as conducts an after-school programme for orphans and vulnerable children.

“Some children may be living with HIV, or one or both of their parents (may have) died from HIV. Those children are part of an after-school programme that assists them with school work and counselling. As you may be aware, living with HIV, or losing a parent, or worse, both parents to AIDS is not easy for an adult, moreover children.”

The counsellor said that while the NGO has its hands full, it does not receive funding for many of the projects or activities conducted.

“Sometimes, many times, money is used from out of our pockets to facilitate many projects. We are getting funding, but the money we receive is for specific projects; and, of course, in many instances, (it) is not enough to carry out the mandates.”

According to Crawford, the “limitation of funds” is a major bugbear to its operation, as the organisation wants to do much more for the poor and vulnerable of Regions Five and Six.

“Sometimes we may have several things in mind that we feel may be effective, but our funding partner may not want us to execute in a particular manner…it means we have to shift the work to satisfy the funding agent,” he said.

Nevertheless, the counsellor said, Comforting Hearts is “grateful for the funding it receives, though it’s not sufficient” to address all the challenges the organization faces.

VEHICLE NEEDED
He explained that the organisation is in need of a vehicle, so that follow-up work could be done to those who are poor and vulnerable and are not in a position to visit the office or referral sites often.

“We want to continue working with our clients, but many of them live in remote areas and we don’t always have the finance to get to them. We don’t have a vehicle,” he explained.

The NGO is also desirous of visiting schools and youth groups to educate young people about HIV/AIDS. From time to time, the organisation would distribute pamphlets and condoms to target groups, but because of lack of funds, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain the distribution process.

“Some of the programmes had to be discontinued due to the cost. We simply do not have sufficient finances,” Crawford explained.

The NGO wants to commence a “hot meals” programme for its “clients,” as “most of the clients are poverty stricken and live in depressed areas.”

“Hot meals will go a far way. We appeal to all public-spirited persons to assist us in whatever way they can, so that we can continue to educate the people of Regions Five and Six about HIV/AIDS, counsel them and the like,” he said.

The objectives of Comforting Hearts are to strengthen the capacity of families to protect and care for children; empower children to make healthy life choices; provide access to essential services for the most vulnerable children; and raise awareness through social mobilisation to create a supportive environment for children affected by HIV/AIDS.

The organisation is funded by Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) through the USAID, and partners with several other governmental and non-governmental organisations.
By Ariana Gordon

(agordon@guyanachronicle.com)