Building a Possible Development Project -‐ Building a Permanent System Author: António Guarita -‐ International Cooperation Coordinator
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1. Introduction a) Abraço Background Abraço is a private non-profit NGO for Development in support of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) and carries out prevention actions to address virus reduction within the general population and key target groups. Abraço was formally founded in 1992, June 5th, as a Social Solidarity Private Institution (SSPI) under Portuguese legislation. It was created following the work implemented by a group of volunteers focussing on support and assistance to the PLHIV at Egas Moniz Hospital, in Lisbon. This very group joined efforts in December 1991 with the purpose of promoting and improving hospital conditions for the PLHIV and their families, as well as offering effective support, both at psychological and at social and material levels. Abraço basically works in the field supported by both Government Funds and Donations from Companies and Individuals. Therefore, there has been a way of providing its clients with the best possible support through its diversified projects. Over time, there have been a number of projects, which last between two and four years. However, due to lack of resources a few major projects are still up and running as major financial efforts came into place, given the relevance to the target groups (i.e. Dental Surgery for HIV Positive People - this facility is unique in Europe). As a result to the Global Crisis funding is getting harder to obtain and that may become a massive obstacle in maintaining projects or even in achieving preset goals to the full. Some of our main campaigning actions focus on eradicating Stigma and Discrimination towards the PLHIV. Also, Prevention is one of our top priorities. We are involved in areas such as: • HIV/AIDS health promotion in schools and workplaces; • General sexual health education, including with young people • Learning upgrade for non-professionals (service users, relatives and others) • Learning upgrade for professionals (health professionals – nurses, doctors, social workers, psychologists and others); • Activist groups against stigma and discrimination of human rights of PLHIV. • Diversified services meeting clients’ needs.
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b) Abraço Main Projects
I. CAAP – Drop-In Centre (Psychosocial Assistance, Help with Rent, Travel Cards, Bank Food, Benefits, Referrals, etc.) II. HCC (Home Care Centre) for those who cannot lead independent lives – Lisbon and Porto III. Nationwide HIV Prevention, especially in schools, universities and events IV. ESW – Emergency Shelter flats for HIV Women fleeing domestic violence V. Dental Surgery targeting PLHIV (unique in Europe) VI. Helpline Line – Abraço Direct Line (Counselling and Information on HIV/AIDS and STIs) VII. Cafeteria (current undergoing some refurbishment work) VIII. ABRAÇO Newsletter (information on HIV/AIDS) IX. Documentation Centre (where various publications, videos, DVDs, etc. can be found) X. Art Gallery with a Preventive Component, where different events take place, such as Art Exhibitions (Pictures, Paintings, Sculptures, Book Launches, etc.) XI. Magazine on HIV/AIDS (Most recent project, replacing the former Abraço Informative Bulletin) XII. Dental HIV/AIDS Research in Partnership with an American University in New York City XIII. Research on HIV/AIDS children in partnership with TESE – Association for Development, Portugal
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c) Abraço International Cooperation and Current Project in Partnership with
Regione Marche, Ancona – Italy • Our aim is to regularly exchange information with international organisations and support advertising and school campaigns: 1. providing bilingual posters and leaflets (in English and Portuguese) to other organisations working in Portuguese speaking countries or in countries with Portuguese immigrant communities; 2. developing partnerships with organisations in order to better serve our clients. • We focus our attention on creating partnerships with organizations working in Portuguese-speaking countries/territories* which require our expertise to create joint-ventures and partnerships. •
East Timor, Macau (China), Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Brazil.
For some time now, we have decided to improve our course of action and have been expanding our activities in partnerships to other countries, including Italy under the current project – both at European and International Level – this is part of the globalisation requirements which are a must-have these days. Under the current “Building a Possible Development” Project purposes, the experiences and good practices sharing need to be in place. This is because a permanent EaS is a tool we need to implement and effectively apply within our organisations, countries and, obviously, across the world. With the constant migrations and travelling made easy, this course of action is proven to be essential. Networking is therefore one of the top components so that our goals may be achieved effectively. In order to do so, we also have the online tools and the work on the ground, and those will be more thoroughly explained under the itemised lister under 3. Social and Health issues have been definitely included in the Agenda. Only through working in partnership will the preset goals be attained.
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2. Team Members * Project Coordinator António Guarita
* Project Researcher Ethel Feldman
*Project Admin Óscar Assunção
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3 - Actions taken under the Project Action Plan a) Partnerships Created or Underway, or Partners in Projects
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b) Training Attended
Training on Strategic Planning (above) and on HIV and your Body (below)
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c) Information Shared and Disseminated via different platforms
Abraço Website
Abraço Facebook
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c) Information Shared and Disseminated via different platforms (continued)
Abraço Twitter
Issuu platform
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c) Information Shared and Disseminated via different platforms (continued)
Rede Positivo PT
World AIDS Campaign
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c) Information Shared and Disseminated via different platforms (continued)
AIDS Action Europe
Abraço Profile at Ilga International
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c) Information Shared and Disseminated via different platforms (continued)
Abraço Blog
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a) Prevention at Country Level This has been a major project addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemics amongst youngsters provided at country level. It has been up and running for the past 19 years and it’s been quite rewarding as we manage to reach relevant target groups. This very project has been in place with no governmental funding whatsoever. It has survived through schools, city halls, financial help, as well as some other sponsors, sometimes, such as hotels, restaurants, garages, etc. Prevention is indeed one of main ways of attempting to stop HIV/AIDS from spreading. Informed people equals better defence against infection.
Prevention in Schools
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Several aspects of Prevention – Events like Erotic Fair and Undergraduates’ Party
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b) Presentations provided
Virtual HIV Researcher in the project, Ethel Feldman, gave a lecture on HIV and the Virtual World, as in HIV and Information, at Seixal’s Venue “Valenciana Farm” in the VII Healthy Seixal Forum
This edition’s programme consisted of five concurrent sessions: Volunteers in Health, Intelligent & Active Cities, Health in the Virtual World, followed by a plenary session on Inequalities in Health Informative interventions will take place, rotating with entertainment and wellbeing activities
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c) Presentations, Workshops and Seminars given/attended
Seminar on Advocacy and Lobbying
Workshop on Current Tendencies of Cooperation for Developmen
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d) Presentations, Workshops and Seminars given/attended (continued)
International Conference on HIV infection among hidden groups
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e) Events and Campaigns, launched by Abraço or simply took part of
HIV gets to everybody Campaign
Fundraising Event – World AIDS Day 2011
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Light for Rights Campaign 2011
Me, Myself and HIV Campaign in partnership with MTV Portugal
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Event in Partnership with Events Clubbing – Campaign Launch
Abraço was present at this event with Prevention Actions
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Communitarian Campaign promoted by Gilead Sciences and Bristol-Myers Squibb
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4- Latest Publications on HIV/AIDS a) Chronicles of a Virus in partnership with Gilead Sciences and Bristol-Myers Squibb
Chronicles of a Virus – Emergence and Evolution of HIV/AIDS 1930 - 2010
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b) Abraço Magazine – The Children and HIV in Portugal
Building into the Future, How to tell your child about HIV, Vampire Acting
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Summary Report – Conclusion This document, known as Summary Report, is somewhat different to what we’re used to, as imaging is also extremely important to clearly show what we’re involved in, as well as actions taken to fulfil our goals. We have tried to ensure that by sharing massively our actions in the HIV/AIDS area, we contribute to help and set up a permanent EaS information system. Through our various partnerships, training and events/campaigns we endeavour to achieve the preset targets under the current project’s course of action. By the end of it, it is our intention to have effectively contributed with our share, in terms of active role. In order to build up the final upcoming report, a more thorough overview will be given, via a more comprehensive text. Therefore, experiences and good practice have been quite a productive lesson and fully assisted in obtaining skills for life, alongside with every single partner. All of the above have been carried out in line with our preset action planning as well as the current project. The main goal is to be part of a wider informative system, where everyone is able to access specific data on HIV/AIDS and all the projects directed to our target-groups, mainly the PLHIV (People Living with HIV/AIDS). Finally, all the actions taken are in line with the current project, as it undoubtedly contributes to improving knowledge on the HIV/AIDS pathology, on one hand; on the other hand, the work in the field whilst supporting key target groups is up to standard taking into account the best possible practices
Abraço – Association in support of People Living with HIV/AIDS Largo José Luís Champalimaud, nº 4-A 1600-110 LISBOA Tel.: +351 21 799 75 00
Fax: +351 21 799 75 09
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www.abraco.pt