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HIV/AIDS Education and Support
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA has been supporting the Positive Action Foundation Philippines Inc (PAFPI) who provide training on HIV/AIDS prevention for overseas Filipino workers, undertake counselling and training for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, and run the Abot-Kamay drop-in centre for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Project background
Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA began working with the Positive Action Foundation of the Philippines Inc. (PAFPI) in 2000 to support HIV/AIDS training for Philippine migrant workers and to create and support a drop-in centre for those affected by HIV/AIDS. The centre provides care, support, education about HIV/AIDS and safe sex practices, counselling, and therapy for those with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers.
Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA has provided over A$304,000 in funding to this program in the period 2000-2009. Project funding in 2009/2010 is A$47,229.
Project objectives and activities
1. To minimise HIV infection to/from Filipino workers who work abroad
This activity provides pre-departure training for Filipino contract workers about to leave for contract work abroad. PAFPI is a recognised training organisation with the Philippines Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE), and provides pre-departure training on HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In the year 2000, PAFPI was the first Philippines NGO recognised by and accredited by the DOLE and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or POEA, to deliver pre-departure training to Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs) under Section 16 of RA8504 IRR. Each year, PAFPI trains between 15,000 to 20,000 contract workers prior to their departure overseas, and in keeping with government recommendations, provides each OFW with an information leaflet on HIV issues.
2. To improve the quality and effectiveness of pre-departure training sessions
This activity will follow-up some of those Filipino workers who received the pre-departure training, consulting them while overseas and also when they return to the Philippines, to ascertain the extent of knowledge retained and behavioural change.
3. Sustained improved health status of PLWHAs through training, counselling and a welcoming drop-in centre
This activity provides counselling and support group activities for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) through both the PAFPI-run drop-in centre (the Abot Kamay Centre) in Manila and through counselling at this drop-in centre, in homes, in the two hospitals that treat HIV patients, in a number of clinics. Working in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, PAFPI is able to provide emotional support to PLWHAs at their most vulnerable moments. Part of this counselling program also involves quarterly support group activities or workshops on issues such as self-expression, social and recreational interaction, complementary therapy and spirituality and reflections.
4. To provide training for the families of people living with HIV/AIDS so they can provide acceptance and care for their HIV+ relative
This training targets the family of PLWHAs so they can accept the fact that a family member is HIV positive, and they are taught the skills to provide adequate care for the health needs of their HIV positive relative at home. Health funding in the Philippines is so inadequate that there is little possibility of health care through the under-funded hospital system, so home care for PLWHAs is crucial. PAFPI's training integrates primary HIV prevention education, secondary prevention (i.e. sustaining health and well-being of those infected), support for affected families, and commitment to PLWHA visibility and GIPA principles (Greater Involvement of PLWHAs).
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