On Implementing GIPA Strategies

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum Members,

The GIPA declaration states that the greater involvement of people living with

or affected by HIV/AIDS is 'critical to ethical and effective national responses

to the epidemic'. Conversely, the declaration clearly implies that the absence

of GIPA may adversely affect the national responses to HIV/AIDS. As a

practitioner in the field of HIV and AIDS, I too believe that involving PLHA can

contribute to the organization policies and practices. INP+ and other funding

agencies are doing good work in supporting some PLHA support groups in the

country. There are some support groups who are also working on their own by

doing local resource mobilization.

I have some few thoughts to share to the forum, funding agencies and general

public. I invite views on my thoughts. I know of a support group of PLHA right

from its birth. I have seen them growing and the organization where I am working

has been nurturing them at the initial stages. Within a span of years, they got

some projects, which is very encouraging. I thought that these will make a great

impact in the district (Nagpur) which is ranked second among the high prevalence

district of Maharashtra. Nagpur also features in the UNAIDS 2006 report. But it

has not

The questions come to my mind because the situation is a real mess.

Inspite of giving opportunities to talented, committed and educated PLHAs, some

times 2 posts of two different projects is handled by the same person (board

member). The group does not seem to have any clarity in the vision or mission.

The members of the support group, some of them who come to the city from far

away to get some respite and support are cursing the group. This is obvious as

when others become members of a PLHA support group, that they expect them to

help them in any situation - be it moral, spiritual, physical or economical.

The drop in centre is a real show. There is everything but hardly PLHAs visiting

them. And there is effort to get more and more projects. The whole situation is

sad and I believe that the the organizations supporting this group should see

the functioning of this group. Founding members of the group are only enjoying

the benefits and only doing superficial work. to show to their supporters. The

support group is so averse to have a non-PLHA staff working with them. I

understand that if they are well-versed in management of a NGO. I know INP+ is

building their capacity, but does it really work in practical. Sometimes even

understanding of project management is not there as the reporting templates and

requirements of the funding agencies are supposed to be written in English.

I am faced with some few questions:

1. How does a PLHA network really supposed to function?

2. Can person (board members) work in project?

3. If so, can they also work in other project also?

4. Can treasuer of the organization work as an outreach worker and at the same

time be on the board?

5. Can wife/husband (PLHA) can both be on the board and work in the project.

6. How is the membership component handled?

7. Can an government employee who is full time and doing well, also work in the

project

Has NACO or for that matter INP+ has ever thought of these points.

I do not know, whether the same has been happening in other support groups in

other parts of the country. If it is happening then NACO or INP should take

serious note of these happenings and have some strategies developed for support

groups of PLHAs?

I am not against giving fund to the PLHA support groups, but I am worried as the

fund allotted is not spent for the cause and it goes somewhere else.

I am pretty sure that GIPA declaration is an essential strategy to fight the

pandemic. But if attention is not paid to these issues, then the strategy needs

to be re-looked.

F. Borges

Programme Coordinator, HIV/AIDS

Advocacy and Care & Support

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)

140, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Nagpur - 440001, Maharashtra, India

Phone: +91-712-2524 834, 2548 789, 2540 024; Telefax: +91-712-2548 789

Cell: +91-9923414559

E-mail: peter.borges@..., petervision2025@...

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum members & ,

Re: /message/7095

Some how your questions towards GIPA made me also think and wondered how one

would take it represented as follows if i were to answer:

How does a PLHA network really supposed to function?

I think the ‘nerve’ of the network management officers should be with the other

members, in the sense to the extent that they function as family members. At

this juncture to follow mechanisms like “where does one stop relationships,

where does one stop to give etc.”

will not work, management should not follow restrictions, stringent

mechanisms etc. It is more of brining living under distressed conditions

together.

For instance if there are problems/situations where the

members are under stake, the network should be the ones who should be

informed first and instant developments should take between members to

be at the site. I tell you these little ways of forwarding oneself with

conscious directions towards the ‘cohesiveness’ and ‘bonding’ are the steps to

bring the network together. This then becomes a community.

This is where the network should strengthen itself but on the contrary the

networks are more on the so called capacity building, increasing and debating

power with one another, beginning to think of functioning on their own after

they gain their confidence etc. will not have any meaning to the network. The

building of capacities should not head for them to start another network, give

them ideas to set this as their regular jobs etc. The entire strategy should aim

at bringing about activities that will build the tight cohesiveness of the

group.

2. Can person (board members) work in project? – NACO is very explicit of

its policy towards PLHIVA. Lets be honest, how many rich and well placed PLHIVA

are we seeing? Most of them have come out of their families, some still living

with families but under poverty line or are from low income groups etc. Let us

be honest that “bread to live” comes first to all. Therefore compromises till

the network begin to form strong tentacles is essential. How ever one has to be

very careful that even though big networks are still growing like INP+ which has

now gained the status of a big organization should think of becoming more

professional as they are now and not enclosed or capsule to network families.

Then in that case maintaining professionalism within such big organizations are

essential. I feel these big organizations of PLHIVA should now start functioning

on professional mechanisms like any other NGO.

3. If so, can they also work in other project also? – Big networks more

professional, members should not work in other projects.

But small ones who are more like a family, it does not matter to get

jobs elsewhere, only then they can be useful to their members.

4. Can treasuer of the organization work as an outreach worker and at the same

time be on the board? – This is definitely a complicated question to

answer.

5. Can wife/husband (PLHA) can both be on the board and work in the project. –

Does not matter if the network is limited to a small capsule.

6. How is the membership component handled? – This also depends on the area

and the needs of the members. How ever functioning would be good if planned

according to the numbers, needs, area of operation, visibility to the general

public

etc.

7. Can a government employee who is full time and doing well,

also work in the project – why not if he has the will and the time

as long as the needs of the members are fulfilled. Also it depends on

the size of the network, area of operation etc.

Regards

Shyamala Ashok - sfdrt Pondicherry & Chennai

e-mail: abinand@..., <aabinand@...>